Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Why Asian Games Badminton Gold Matters Most to China, Indonesia
The Asian Games are very important to badminton players in Asia.
China and Indonesia care about winning the men's singles gold almost as much as winning an Olympic medal.
Some players may use the World Championships as practice for the Asian Games.
China has won this title eight times, and Indonesia has won it seven times.
Malaysia has won it once.
Players such as Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty could challenge the traditional powers.
Japan will host the competition in Nagoya and may have slower courts.
China is also dealing with poor recent form and uncertainty around Shi Yuqi.
The tournament is expected to be a major contest between China, Indonesia and several challengers.
China and Indonesia regard Asian Games badminton gold as nearly as valuable as Olympic success.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn described the 2026 World Championships as preparation for the Nagoya Asian Games.
Only China, Indonesia and Malaysia have won men's singles Asian Games gold.
China has won eight men's singles Asian Games titles, while Indonesia has won seven.
Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty are among India's leading potential challengers in Nagoya.
- Who
- Badminton players from China, Indonesia, Japan, India and other Asian countries, including Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Jonatan Christie, Shi Yuqi, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty.
- What
- The article examines why men's singles badminton gold at the Asian Games is considered a prestigious target, especially by China and Indonesia.
- When
- The 2026 Asian Games will follow the 2026 World Championships by about a month.
- Where
- The Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan; the 2026 World Championships are being held in Delhi.
- Why
- Asian Games success carries exceptional national and personal prestige and can help define a player's legacy.
Asian Games as the Main Goal
World and Olympic Success Still Matter
Relative prestige
Asian Games as the Main Goal
China and Indonesia treat the Asian Games as an Olympic-level priority, and Kunlavut Vitidsarn called the World Championships a tune-up for the event.
World and Olympic Success Still Matter
The World Championships remain a major international competition, while Olympic medals are still central to players' careers; Kunlavut has a Paris silver but is still prioritizing the Asian Games.
Who can win
Asian Games as the Main Goal
China and Indonesia have dominated the event, combining for 15 of the 16 men's singles titles won by the three successful countries.
World and Olympic Success Still Matter
Players from India, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore could disrupt that rivalry, including Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kodai Naraoka, Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Loh Kean Yew.
- 2026 Asian Games
- Scheduled to take place in Nagoya, Japan.
- 2026 World Championships
- Being held in Delhi before the Asian Games.
- Men's singles winners
- China has eight Asian Games titles, Indonesia seven and Malaysia one.
- China's recent champions
- Lin Dan won in 2010 and 2014, while Li Shifeng won at Hangzhou in 2022.
- Indonesia's legacy
- Taufik Hidayat won in 2006 after announcing himself at the 2002 Asian Games; Jonatan Christie won in 2018.
- Indian contenders
- Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty are identified as potential challengers.
- Shi Yuqi
- He is reported to be in poor form, including a first-round World Championships loss to Ayush Shetty.