New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- Winning a World Junior title is often the first step towards greatness, but only a handful of players go on to become World Champions on the senior stage. Akane Yamaguchi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon, Liu Shengshu and Dechapol Puavaranukroh have all completed that journey, turning junior success into World Championship glory.

As some of the biggest stars in badminton return for the BWF World Championships India 2026 in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, they will be looking to add yet another world title to their already glittering resumes.

-Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)

World Junior titles: 2013, 2014 (Women's Singles)

Senior World titles: 2021, 2022, 2025

Akane Yamaguchi announced herself to the badminton worl...