Ashmita Chaliha Completes Stunning Comeback to Win Korea Masters

Ashmita Chaliha produced a stunning fightback against China’s Han Qian Xi to lift the VICTOR Korea Masters 2026 women’s singles title on Sunday. The Indian shuttler recovered from dropping the opening game to beat the fourth seed 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in 53 minutes and secure the first BWF World Tour title of her career.

The 26-year-old Assam player struggled to impose herself early on as Han, ranked No. 35 in the world, dictated the pace of the opening game. The Chinese shuttler built a comfortable lead and closed out the first game 21-14.

She increased the pace in the second game, attacked more decisively and began winning longer exchanges. Han found it increasingly difficult to deal with the Indian’s pressure, allowing Ashmita to establish control and level the match with another 21-14 scoreline.

The deciding game was tightly contested at the start, with both players trading points. Ashmita stayed patient and continued looking for opportunities to attack. After the mid-game interval, she gradually opened up a gap as Han began to make more unforced errors.

Ashmita moved ahead 12-11 with a beautifully judged winner near the line and soon stretched her advantage to 15-11 with another superb shot while under pressure. She refused to let Han back into the contest.

A cross-court winner took Ashmita to 19-14 before Han sent her next return wide, sparking celebrations as the Indian completed a memorable three-game victory.

The Korea Masters triumph is Ashmita’s first BWF World Tour title and the biggest achievement of her career so far.

Her victory is particularly significant given the difficult period she has overcome. Ashmita spent three months away from competition after suffering a tear in her right knee before returning to the BWF Tour in May.

The Indian has steadily regained her rhythm since her comeback, highlighted by a semi-final appearance at the Macau Open. Her run in Korea, however, ended with the biggest prize of her career.

Currently ranked No. 50 in the world, Ashmita trains under Park Tae-Sang at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati. The Korea Masters title gives her comeback a major boost and could provide further momentum for the remainder of the season.

The victory also gives Indian women’s singles badminton another reason to celebrate. Ashmita’s triumph comes only a week after Tanvi Sharma won the Taipei Open, marking back-to-back women’s singles titles for India on the BWF World Tour.