Fresh Winds Herald New Season
If the first month of 2026 is anything to go by, a fresh breeze is blowing through badminton. The coming-of-age of young talent – particularly in men’s singles – heralds an exciting new year for badminton fans.
· BWF STAFF
January saw four events on the HSBC BWF World Tour – one each from the Super 1000, one Super 750, Super 500 and Super 300 tier.
There were four different winners in men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles – and while that by itself is no indication of transition, interesting signs had emerged in men’s singles.
At the very start of the season it seemed nothing had changed for the top players -- no holiday blues even, no rustiness after the year-end break.
- An Se Young
- Kunlavut Vitidsarn
- Presley Smith
- Jennie Gai
- Pusarla V. Sindhu
- Lin Chun-Yi
- Jonatan Christie
- Pitchamon Opatniputh
- Alwi Farhan
- Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul
- Raymond Indra
- Nikolaus Joaquin
- Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah
- Leo Rolly Carnando
- Bagas Maulana
- Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi
- Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti
- Adnan Maulana
- Indah Cahya Sari Jamil
- Devika Sihag