China secures two final berths at world junior badminton championships

CAIRO, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- China secured final spots in mixed doubles and women's singles at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Junior Championships in Cairo on Friday.

Feng Yilang/Li Menghan (L) of China compete in the mixed doubles semifinal against Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono/Atresia Naufa Candani of Indonesia at the BWF World Junior Championships 2026 in Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 16, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

In the mixed doubles semifinals, China's Feng Yilang and Li Menghan defeated Indonesia's Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono and Atresia Naufa Candani 15-11, 16-14. The Indonesian pair saved two match points to draw level at 14-14 in the second game, but the Chinese duo claimed the next two points to secure victory.

Looking ahead to Saturday's final, Feng said, "I want to aim for the top step of the podium. I also need to prepare well," adding that he hoped to keep improving step by step through consistent training.

Their opponents in the final will be Indonesia's Muhammad Luthfi Habibi and Dian Ramadhani Mukti, who edged Chinese Taipei's Lee Wei Ting and Chen Yu-Hsi 13-15, 16-14, 16-14.

In the women's singles, China's Zhang Yixin came from behind to defeat fifth-seeded Ip Sum Yau of Hong Kong, China 12-15, 15-10, 15-10, setting up a final against top-seeded Japanese Saki Matsumoto, who also rallied from a game down to beat China's Yin Yiqing 10-15, 15-7, 15-9.

Reflecting on her comeback, Zhang said, "Even after losing the first game, the second game starts at 0-0. If you approach it as a fresh start and take it one point at a time, you won't be affected too much by losing the opening game."

"I think anything is possible in the final, but I hope to play at my best against my opponent. What matters most is playing well, but of course it would be even better if I could achieve a good result," she added.

Indonesia secured both places in the men's singles final, guaranteeing gold and silver in the event. Fardhan Rainanda Joe upset France's top seed Mady Sow 11-15, 15-8, 16-14, while compatriot Radithya Bayu Wardhana defeated India's Jagsher Singh Khangurra 15-6, 13-15, 15-3.

In the women's doubles semifinals, Malaysia's second-seeded Genevie Lim and Low Zi Yu defeated China's Shi Sichen and Xiang Yujin 15-9, 15-11, while Japan's Nijika Kamata and Shizuku Kashio beat South Korea's Choi Ye-da and Kim Min-chae 15-10, 15-8.

In the men's doubles, Japan's Mahiro Oku and Masato Yamashiro rallied past China's Feng Yilang and Wei Jianzhen 10-15, 15-11, 15-8. They will face Chinese Taipei's Chen Ping Hsuan and Lee Wei Ting, who beat Njoto Michaelangelo and Yu Zhirui Jerry of Hong Kong, China 15-4, 15-8 in the other semifinal.