An Se-young's momentum is impressive. The world No. 1 defeated Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki 2-0 in the women's singles final of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour China Masters held in Shenzhen on September 6. This victory marks her third consecutive title at this event since 2024. Throughout the tournament, she did not drop a single game, winning all five matches.
Following her triumph at the World Championships last month, An Se-young has once again claimed the top spot. At the World Championships, she also won all six matches 2-0. In total, she has won 11 matches and 22 games across these two tournaments. Her record for the season stands at 49 wins and 1 loss, with a remarkable 33-match winning streak since her defeat to Wang Zhi Yi in the All England Open final in March. She has raised her winning percentage from last year's 94.8% to 98% this year.
What is particularly encouraging is her ability to maintain this level of performance after returning from injury. An Se-young withdrew from the Japan Open in July due to a left foot injury and had concerns about her physical condition leading up to the Asian Games. However, she has alleviated those worries by winning both the World Championships and the China Masters upon her return.
Her next goal is the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya. An Se-young won gold medals in women's singles and women's team events at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. If she secures the singles title again, she will become the first Korean woman to achieve back-to-back golds in the Asian Games singles event, a feat not accomplished even by Bang Soo-hyun, the 1994 Hiroshima champion. Based on her current performance, she is a strong contender for the gold medal.
Therefore, the upcoming period is crucial. With major tournaments like the World Championships and China Masters leading up to the Asian Games, An Se-young must prioritize her health. Just two months ago, she had to withdraw from a competition due to a foot injury. It is more important for her to be in optimal condition for the Asian Games than to increase her number of titles.
For a player like An Se-young, who is at the top of the world rankings, participating in additional tournaments can be a significant burden. Opponents analyze her closely, and each match involves intense rallies and strong defenses. Considering travel, training, and recovery, the pressure of competing in another tournament cannot be underestimated. In the remaining time, she needs to focus on recovery rather than performance, requiring careful management of her schedule.
An Se-young has already experienced the high cost of pushing herself too hard. In the final of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, she played through a knee injury and subsequently suffered from a long-term injury. After the Paris Olympics, she publicly criticized the national team's injury management and player support systems. It is essential that Korean badminton does not repeat the same mistakes.
What An Se-young needs now is not more competitions or sheer determination. If necessary, she should consider skipping tournaments to prioritize her health. The association and national team must also make decisions that prioritize the longevity of the athlete's career over immediate results.
With a 33-match winning streak and a 98% winning percentage, it is clear that An Se-young is having an outstanding season. The focus now should not be on the number of consecutive wins but on her ability to compete at the Asian Games in peak physical condition. Maintaining her position as the world's best is as challenging as achieving it in the first place. Now is the time for An Se-young to be managed effectively, rather than pushed to compete more.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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