Badminton women's singles world No. 1 Ahn Se-young has reclaimed her position at the top. Ahn won the women's singles final at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in New Delhi on August 23, defeating world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi 2-0. This victory comes three years after she made history as the first Korean to win a singles title at the World Championships in Copenhagen in 2023. After winning a bronze medal at last year's championships, Ahn did not drop a single game from the round of 64 to the final this time.
What makes this victory even more significant is that it comes after overcoming an injury. Ahn experienced pain in her left foot during the round of 32 at the Japan Open last month and withdrew before her round of 16 match. After a month of rehabilitation, she returned to competition at the World Championships, where she defeated world No. 3 Wang Zhi Yi in the semifinals and then took down defending champion Yamaguchi in the final.
Ahn, who made history at the 2023 World Championships, also aims for a gold medal in women's singles at the upcoming Paris Olympics. However, shortly after winning the gold medal, she publicly criticized the national team's injury management, training methods, competition participation, and association operations.
The fallout was significant. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism initiated an investigation into the Badminton Association of Korea, and after consulting with 36 national team members, it was revealed that most shared Ahn's concerns. Proposed improvements included ensuring players' rights in injury diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, allowing personal trainers to participate in team training, and guaranteeing players' right to rest.
Outdated regulations regarding players' rights were also scrutinized. Rules that restricted non-national team players from participating in international competitions based on age and national team experience, as well as structures that limited players' choices regarding performance-related equipment, were highlighted as issues. Additional problems were identified in the association's operations and subsidy distribution. Ahn's concerns have prompted a broader examination of player management and association operations in Korean badminton.
Two years have passed since then. Despite the controversies, Ahn has remained steadfast. Last year, she won 11 out of 15 international tournaments, tying the record for the most titles in a single season, and she has continued her winning streak this year. Her recent victory at the World Championships marks her first title since her injury.
While it cannot be definitively stated that this victory is a direct result of reforms since 2024, the sweat and rehabilitation leading to her success are entirely her own. However, if we only applaud her 'fighting spirit' in overcoming injury, nothing has changed since two years ago. It should not be taken for granted that players endure pain, and we must not overlook the issues that arise in the process when they achieve good results.
Korean badminton also celebrated another achievement at the World Championships, with Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na winning the women's doubles title, the first for Korea in 31 years since Gil Young-a and Jang Hye-ok in 1995. This tournament reaffirmed the strength of Korean badminton.
Having a player like Ahn Se-young does not automatically mean that the Korean badminton system is among the best in the world. Relying solely on the talent and perseverance of a few outstanding players makes it difficult to sustain success. It is the responsibility of the association and the state to create an environment where players can voice their concerns about their bodies, express their opinions during training and competition, and receive adequate treatment for injuries.
Ahn Se-young has once again reached the pinnacle of her sport. Now, it is time to reflect on how deeply the promised changes from two years ago have taken root in the field. A system that only moves when a world No. 1 player raises her voice must not persist. Ahn has returned to the top; now it is time for Korean badminton to respond.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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