Historic All-Hong Kong Final Set at 2026 China Masters Badminton

In a remarkable turn of events at the 2026 China Masters in Shenzhen, Hong Kong will witness an all-Hong Kong men's singles final as Lee Cheuk Yiu and Jason Gunawan secured their spots with impressive semifinal performances.

Gunawan faced a grueling 98-minute match against Denmark's fifth seed Anders Antonsen, overcoming a first-game loss to win 15-21, 22-20, 21-16. Earlier in the day, Lee achieved a straight-games victory over France's second seed Christo Popov, winning 21-15, 21-19, to ensure both finalists hail from Hong Kong.

This final marks a significant milestone, being the first all-Hong Kong men's singles championship match in the HSBC BWF World Tour era. The achievement not only showcases the players' skills but also promises to inspire younger athletes in Hong Kong's badminton community.

Gunawan expressed excitement about the upcoming final, highlighting the unique experience of competing against a close training partner. Both players hope to deliver their best performances, aiming to showcase the talent emerging from Hong Kong badminton.

The significance of this moment was palpable, as Hong Kong's coach Wong Choong Hann was visibly emotional after Gunawan's victory, recognizing the achievement as a major milestone for the territory in the world of badminton.