Korea Masters: Maiden Titles for Zhu, Chaliha

Zhu Xuan Chen and Ashmita Chaliha won their first HSBC BWF World Tour titles at the VICTOR Korea Masters 2026 in Asan today.

Zhu held off a strong charge from home hope Yoo Tae Bin in the second game, saving three game points to win 21-16 23-21, while Chaliha recovered from a first game deficit to beat Han Qian Xi 14-21 21-14 21-14.

Both Zhu and Chaliha were playing their first World Tour final.

“I’m really happy,” said world No.68 Zhu. “I don’t think I played particularly well in the previous two tournaments, and my form has been quite up and down this year. So to be able to win the title at this tournament, I’m really happy with the result.

“I came here with the goal of winning the title, but once I started playing, I just focused on fighting for every point. The same was true today — I wasn’t really thinking too much about the result. In the end, all the hard work we put in during training paid off, and I’m really satisfied to be able to win the title.”

World No.50 Chaliha, the ninth highest ranked Indian women’s singles player, was just as thrilled.

“I feel really great, unbelievable. I’m trying to digest it. I feel blessed. I’m hungry for more. All the credit goes to coach Park (Tae Sang), because without him I wasn’t this energetic earlier.”

» Yuta Watanabe/Maya Taguchi won their second title in two weeks, beating second seeds Kim Jae Hyeon/Jang Ha Jeong 21-19 21-14.

» In a clash between two newly-formed pairs, Tee Kai Wun/Yap Roy King beat Malaysian compatriots Man We Chong/Soh Wooi Yik 21-13 21-18.

» Women’s doubles saw No.30 Luo Yi/Wang Ting Ge win their first Super 300 crown, over Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard 17-21 21-19 21-14.