Ashmita Chaliha Clinches First BWF World Tour Title at Korea Masters

Ashmita Chaliha has made history by winning her first BWF World Tour title at the Korea Masters, overcoming a challenging start to defeat China's Han Qian Xi. The match showcased her resilience and skill, culminating in a thrilling three-game showdown. This victory not only highlights her remarkable comeback from injury but also continues India's strong presence in international badminton. With a series of impressive performances leading up to this win, Chaliha's journey is an inspiring tale of determination and excellence in sports. Read on to discover more about her path to victory and future aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 9, 2026, 10:28 IST

Ashmita Chaliha's Historic Victory

In a remarkable display of resilience, India's Ashmita Chaliha claimed her first BWF World Tour title by defeating fourth seed Han Qian Xi from China in the women's singles final at the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament on Sunday.

The 26-year-old athlete from Assam faced a challenging start but rallied back to secure a thrilling win, overcoming the initial setback to triumph over world No. 35 Han with scores of 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in a match that lasted 53 minutes.

This victory marks a significant achievement for Indian badminton, following Tanvi Sharma's recent success at the Taipei Open just a week prior.

Chaliha began the match strong, taking an early 3-0 lead and extending it to 9-5, but Han quickly leveled the score at 11-11, showcasing her competitive spirit.

The Chinese player then surged ahead, ultimately winning the first game comfortably.

In the second game, Ashmita displayed a more aggressive approach, utilizing powerful smashes and sharp defensive plays to break away from a 6-6 tie.

She led 11-8 at the break and maintained control, finishing the game 21-14 with a decisive shot that forced a third game.

The final game was tightly contested, with Ashmita initially leading 5-2 before Han took a narrow 11-9 lead at the mid-game interval.

However, Chaliha fought back, regaining the lead at 12-11 with a precise shot along the line and extending her advantage to 15-11 with another exceptional play.

She continued to exploit gaps in Han's defense, eventually reaching championship point at 20-14 after Han's return went wide, securing her first title on the BWF World Tour.

Ashmita's journey to this victory was not without challenges; she underwent surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation after suffering a medial meniscus tear in her right knee during the Korea Open in 2024. She made her return in February and participated in 14 events.

After competing in several tournaments this year, she dedicated three months to building strength for the demanding BWF schedule.

Her comeback included impressive performances, reaching the quarterfinals at both the China Masters and Malaysia Masters, followed by a semifinal finish at the Macau Open.

Currently ranked world number 50, Ashmita trains under Park Tae-Sang at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati.