New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): The BWF World Championships will return to India after a gap of 17 years, with the men’s singles competition expected to feature several of the sport’s biggest stars alongside a new generation of emerging talent.The prestigious tournament will be held from August 17 to 23 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, bringing the world’s top badminton players to India for one of the sport’s premier events, according to a release.With an elite field set to compete, the men’s singles draw is expected to be among the major attractions of the championships, showcasing established champions as well as rising stars on the global circuit.Here are five players who have all the ingredients to leave their mark on the championships.Shi Yu Qi (China): The reigning world champion and current World No. 1, Shi Yu Qi heads to New Delhi as one of the biggest favourites for the title. Widely regarded as one of the most complete players on the circuit, the Chinese star is known for his deceptive strokeplay, tactical intelligence and ability to dictate rallies, the release said.After finishing runner-up at the 2018 World Championships, Shi completed his redemption story by winning his maiden world title in 2025. With multiple Super 1000 titles and Thomas Cup triumphs to his name, the 30-year-old will be eager to defend his crown on Indian soil.Key achievements:* Gold medal – BWF World Championships (2025)* Silver medal – BWF World Championships (2018)* Thomas Cup champion (2018, 2024)* Former World No. 1Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand): Few players have enjoyed a rise quite like Kunlavut Vitidsarn. The Thai star became the first player in history to win three consecutive BWF World Junior Championships before seamlessly transitioning into the senior ranks.He scripted history by becoming Thailand’s first men’s singles world champion in 2023 and followed it up with an Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games. Blessed with exceptional movement, remarkable patience and an ability to absorb pressure, Kunlavut has established himself as one of the toughest opponents on the world circuit and remains a leading contender for a second world title, the release said.Key achievements:* Gold medal – BWF World Championships (2023)* Silver medal – Paris 2024 Olympic Games* Three-time World Junior Champion (2017, 2018, 2019)* Former World No. 1Christo Popov (France): French badminton has found its newest star in Christo Popov. Still only in his early twenties, Popov has emerged as one of Europe’s leading men’s singles players through fearless attacking badminton and remarkable consistency on the HSBC BWF World Tour.His breakthrough came in 2025 when he became the first French player to reach–and win–the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals, defeating reigning world champion Shi Yu Qi in the final. That landmark triumph firmly established him among the world’s elite and makes him one of the biggest threats in New Delhi, the release said.Key achievements:* HSBC BWF World Tour Finals Champion (2025)* First French men’s singles player to win the BWF World Tour Finals* Multiple BWF World Tour titles* Among the world’s top-ranked men’s singles players4. Lakshya Sen (India): No Indian men’s singles player will attract more attention than Lakshya Sen. The Almora-born shuttler has been India’s flag-bearer in the discipline over the past few years, combining fearless attacking play with remarkable consistency on the biggest stages.Lakshya won bronze at the 2021 World Championships before helping India create history by winning the Thomas Cup in 2022 and later claiming Commonwealth Games gold.At the Paris Olympics, he became the first Indian man to reach the Olympic men’s singles semi-finals, eventually finishing fourth–the country’s best-ever Olympic result in the event. Backed by a passionate home crowd, Lakshya will be determined to add another World Championships medal to his resume.Key achievements:* Bronze medal – BWF World Championships (2021)* Gold medal – Commonwealth Games (2022)* Thomas Cup champion (2022)* Fourth place – Paris 2024 Olympic Games* Former World No. 6Victor Lai (Canada): Victor Lai has been one of badminton’s biggest breakthrough stories over the past year. The Canadian made history by becoming the first player from Canada to win a medal at the BWF World Championships, securing bronze in Paris in 2025.He followed that up by successfully defending his Pan Am Championships title before producing the biggest result of his career at the Indonesia Open in 2026.Lai defeated several of the world’s top players during the week, including home favourite and World No. 5 Jonatan Christie in the final, to become the first Canadian to win a BWF Super 1000 title. Armed with explosive pace, fearless attacking play and growing confidence against the world’s best, Lai arrives in New Delhi as one of the tournament’s most dangerous dark horses.Key achievements:* Bronze medal – BWF World Championships (2025)* First Canadian to win a medal at the BWF World Championships* Indonesia Open (Super 1000) Champion (2026)* First Canadian to win a BWF Super 1000 title. (ANI)(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. 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