Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Li Shifeng Falls to Kodai Naraoka After Ant Distraction
Li Shifeng played Kodai Naraoka at the World Championships.
Li won the first game 21-13.
Naraoka won the second game 23-21 after Li had led 19-16.
Naraoka then won the final game 21-11.
The match lasted 77 minutes.
Li said a big ant on the court distracted him.
He tried to move it away with his racket, but it got onto the racket.
Naraoka’s victory ended Li’s run and left him without a medal.
Japan’s Kodai Naraoka defeated China’s Li Shifeng 13-21, 23-21, 21-11 in 77 minutes.
Li Shifeng was the last Chinese men’s singles player remaining in the draw.
Li led 19-16 in the second game and was two points from securing a medal.
Li said a large ant on court disrupted his concentration during the match.
He said the ant eventually stopped bothering him, but Naraoka completed the comeback.
- Who
- China’s Li Shifeng and Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
- What
- Naraoka defeated Li 13-21, 23-21, 21-11 in a World Championships men’s singles match.
- Where
- On the court at the World Championships; a specific venue was not stated.
- Why
- Naraoka won the match after Li said a large ant disrupted his concentration.
- Match result
- Kodai Naraoka defeated Li Shifeng in three games.
- Score
- 13-21, 23-21, 21-11.
- Duration
- 77 minutes.
- Second-game turning point
- Li led 19-16 and was two points from ensuring a medal.
- Distraction
- Li said a large ant appeared on the court and later got onto his racket.
- Tournament status
- Li was the last Chinese men’s singles player left in the draw.