# BWF World Championships start Monday in Delhi amid drift and humidity concerns

2026-08-15T14:42:33+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The BWF World Championships begin Monday at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, returning to India for the first time since 2009. Players face tricky conditions: monsoon humidity between 70-90 per cent and air-conditioning drift that can push the shuttle off course. Chinese world No. 3 Wang Zhi Yi said she felt wind on court and stressed the need to adjust. World No. 9 Li Shifeng praised the venue. Former Olympic champion Chen Yufei said she is still not 100 per cent fit after retiring injured against PV Sindhu at the Japan Open. Sindhu has trained with Ayush Shetty. China’s Shi Yuqi is the sole defending champion; the women’s singles drought for China extends to 2011.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/bwf-world-championships-beyond-smashes-drops-the-conditions-could-decide-the-winner/articleshow/133263764.cms>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/badminton-world-championships-indias-home-court-intensity-and-chinas-depth-the-talking-points/article71350332.ece>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/badminton-world-championships-china-no-longer-the-predominant-force-in-racquet-sport/article71349975.ece>

Tags: BWF World Championships, Delhi, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Li Shifeng, Wang Zhi Yi
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