Between sacres and revenge: what to remember from Japan and China Open before the Worlds deadline

The month of July was intense in competitions! Indeed, over two consecutive weeks, the Japan and the China Open 2026 brought us huge surprises. With less than a month to go before the World Championships in India, this is the ideal opportunity to assess the forces involved, whether it be the IFB or the Tricolores title holders.

Japan Open 2026 - A title for Christo Popov

Christo POPOV (n°5) won his first Super 750 title by beating Koki WATANABE (n°15, Japan), who was playing at home. He won the final with a score of 21/11 21/19. This was the second success of the year on the BWF circuit for the reigning European Champion. A success ideally placed in its preparation for the World Championships next month, which suggests good ambitions for the Yonex IFB in October.

As for the doubles, it’s a remake of the previous IFB final that is played on this 2026 edition of the Japan Open. This time, the Indonesian pair ALFIAN/FIKRI (n°5) takes their revenge by winning 21/19 21/17 against the South Korean title holders, KIM Won Ho/SEO Seung Jae (n°1). In mixed doubles, the tandem of FENG Yan Zhe and HUANG Dong Ping (No. 1, China), last winner of the IFB 2025, won the Japan Open. These players will be to watch closely in October!

China Open 2026 - Les Bleus hit hard in China!

Toma Junior POPOV (n°16) makes a strong impression by making it to the final of the Super 1000 in men’s singles, a first on this board for a French badist in a Super 1000. He lost to CHOU Tien Chen (No. 6, Taipei), after three sets: 15/21 21/7 13/21. This will undoubtedly be a tough opponent for the contenders for the next IFB. The GICQUEL/DELRUE duo (No. 7) is not unworthy either. Winners of the Danish pair Mathias CHRISTIANSEN/Alexandra BØJE (no. 3) in the quarter-finals, the French lost at half to the Chinese number 1 FENG Yan Zhe/HUANG Dong Ping 19/21 14/21. A great performance that shows us that they will be formidable opponents to the next IFB at the Arena Grand Paris.

In men’s doubles, the Indonesians ALFIAN/FIKRI (n°5) confirm their excellent form by once again dominating the world number-ones KIM Won Ho/SEO Seung Jae (South Korea) in the final 16/21 21/19 21/19. In women’s doubles, the holders of the Yonex IFB title, FUKUSHIMA/MATSUMOTO (No. 2, Japan), approach the end of the season with confidence. Semi-finalists of the Japan Open, they then made it to the final of the China Open, where they yielded against the world number one LIU Sheng Shu/TAN Ning (China) 14/21 19/21. A pair to watch closely in October.

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The next event in New Delhi will be from 17 to 23 August for the World Championships, which are set to be thrilling.