New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- Indian shuttler Unnati Hooda bowed out of the BWF World Championships 2026 after a narrow second-round defeat to Canada's Michelle Li at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Indian pushed the experienced Canadian all the way in a tense three-game contest before Li prevailed 11-21, 21-9, 23-21 to bring Hooda's maiden World Championships campaign to an end.

Hooda made an impressive start, dictating the pace from the outset and putting Li under pressure with her attacking game. The Indian quickly established control and wrapped up the opening game 21-11.

Li responded emphatically in the second game, finding greater consistency and disrupting Hooda's rhythm to level the contest with a 21...