Victor Lai defeats Loh Kean Yew in New Delhi; Advances to quarter-finals

BWF World Championships 2026: Victor Lai knocks Loh Kean Yew out in 2025 rematch, earning quarter-final spot

Canada’s 2025 world bronze medallist eliminated the 2021 world champion in the third round in New Delhi in a repeat of their quarter-final from last year.

Loh Kean Yew ’s quest to win a second badminton world title is over for another year after the Singaporean lost 20-22, 18-21 to Canada’s Victor Lai at the 2026 BWF World Championships on Thursday (20 August).

It was a hard-fought, high-quality rematch of their 2025 World Championships quarter-final clash which Lai had won as a massive underdog, then ranked world no. 50. The seventh-ranked Lai is now seeded higher than Singapore’s Loh, although both men proved evenly matched in Delhi.

Loh began shakily, with his Canadian opponent surging ahead to an 11-5 lead in the opening game. However, the Singaporean won 11 of the next 12 points to turn the opener on its head, leaving Lai stunned.

The strong draft in the hall, which has been an issue for players all week, continued to play a big role for both players as Lai fought back himself to level the game at 18-18. Loh wasted a video challenge on a line call, then was out-smarted in a 62-shot rally as Lai brought up game point.

But Loh saved the first as Lai misjudged the length of one, letting the shuttle drop in bounds, then Loh saved the second with a smash into Lai’s body.

Two errors followed from the 2021 world champion, allowing Lai to take the opening game 22-20.

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Singapore’s star shuttler is two years into fatherhood. Ahead of LA28, which would be his third Olympic Games, it’s given the 29-year-old something more than wins and titles – perspective.

Loh looked visibly tired to start the second game after their to-and-fro opener, not moving or reacting as quickly with his footwork and being loose with a few of his shots.

Despite that, Lai was unable to pull away, making mistakes of his own as the intensity level dropped on both sides of the net. The pair found themselves level at 5-5, 7-7, and 9-9, Lai each time going ahead but being unable to hold the lead.

Instead, the Singaporean edged ahead and was the first to the break at 11, and from there Loh upped his energy, opening up a four-point margin at 13-9.

But further mistakes from the Singaporean led Lai back in before Loh sent three straight points wide, with his coach visibly telling him to calm down.

That was to no avail, with Lai holding on to close out the straight-games win and eliminate Loh from the World Championships for a second straight year – and by the exact same 22-20, 21-18 scoreline as they had played out in 2025.

Indonesia’s third seed Jonatan Christie could lie in wait for Lai in the last eight, should be overcome his own round of 16 test.

Action from the 2026 BWF World Championships is streaming live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the mobile app. Territorial restrictions apply.

Badminton | World Championships | New Delhi | India