Uriel Canjura Represents El Salvador at 2026 BWF World Championships

On the opening night of the 2026 BWF World Championships, Uriel Francisco Canjura Artiga, a 5’4″ badminton player from El Salvador, took to Court 1 in front of an empty stadium. The occasion was overshadowed by home crowd favorite Ayush Shetty, who delivered a stunning upset against reigning champion Shi Yu Qi. Canjura, however, traveled over 30 hours to compete and fulfill his passion for badminton, a sport not widely recognized in his Central American homeland.

Despite losing in straight games to England’s Harry Huang, Canjura’s participation alone marked a significant achievement. In an interview with ESPN, he reflected on his journey from playing on hand-drawn mud courts in El Salvador to competing on one of badminton’s biggest stages. “The world championships is one of the most difficult tournaments and it’s incredible to be here. The atmosphere, the hall is very big for me; it’s new in comparison with Paris Olympics,” he said. He noted the challenges he faced in starting his badminton career due to the sport’s nascent status in El Salvador, but emphasized the support he now receives from his country.

At 25, Canjura is notable for being the first badminton player from El Salvador to compete in the Olympics, where he served as a joint flag bearer in the Paris 2024 Games. As the only Salvadoran representative at the World Championships, he feels the weight of his nation’s expectations.

Canjura began his badminton journey at age nine, influenced by his stepfather, who worked with the national badminton federation. “He gave me a racquet and made me play in the garden of my house. I really liked it so I would practice for a long time,” he recalled. His early experiences shifted from playing on homemade courts in Suchitoto—a town often marred by gang violence—to formal training in San Salvador. Success in the Pan-American championships propelled him to pursue badminton seriously.

Drawing inspiration from his idol, Guatemalan badminton player Kevin Cordón, who made a remarkable run to the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics, Canjura hopes to replicate that success when the Olympics return to the United States in 2028. “For me, he is the best player in the Americas,” he said. “I believe that if he can make it, I can make it too,” expressing his desire to showcase the potential of Salvadorian athletes on the global stage.

His resolve is clear: “I try to do my best for the other generations, so they have facilities to play the world championships or to qualify for the Olympics.” Canjura is hopeful for increased support for badminton in El Salvador as the 2028 Olympics approach, similar to the boost the sport received after the Rio Olympics for Brazil.

Uriel Canjura’s story demonstrates the resilience and ambition of athletes from non-traditional badminton nations, making his presence at the World Championships a testament to his dedication to the sport and his country.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn