An Se Young, the reigning YONEX All England Open champion, continues to solidify her reputation as one of badminton’s brightest stars. At just 23 years old, the South Korean star claimed her second All England title in 2025, defeating Wang Zhi Yi in a thrilling women’s singles final.
Despite her dominance, An emphasizes the lessons she gains from competing against the world’s best. “Every player is a tough challenge,” she explained. “Akane Yamaguchi, Tai Tzu-Ying, and Chen Yu Fei have taught me so much. The biggest lesson is trusting my own abilities and playing my game.”
Tai Tzu-Ying remains the last player to win three All England titles consecutively, doing so in 2018. For An, matching legends like Tai and Tine Baun is a motivating prospect. “If I win again, having my name alongside Tine Baun would be an immense honour,” she said. “The All England Open is such a prestigious tournament. Standing on the podium there feels deeply meaningful, which is why so many aspire to victory.”
Her focus on these historic benchmarks reflects her desire not only to win but to cement her legacy in the sport.
Highs, Lows, and Learning Curves
An’s 2025 season saw a 27-match winning streak, including her triumph at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Successes at the Indonesia Open and Japan Open also positioned her for a strong tilt at her second world championship.
However, at the World Championships in Paris—where she won Olympic gold last year—Chen Yu Fei once again got the better of her, leaving An with bronze. She candidly reflected on the pressures of defending her crown:
“I felt pressure during this World Championship, which affected my performance. But I’ve learned that trusting myself, practising harder, and enjoying the process is the solution.”
Her resilience shone through immediately after, as she clinched the China Masters, marking her third Super 750 title of the season alongside three Super 1000 victories.
Eyes on the Future
Despite an already stellar career, An remains grounded and driven. “I’ve achieved a lot, but complacency won’t help me progress,” she said. “I’m determined to perform at the highest level in upcoming tournaments, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.”
As she continues to refine her game and chase historic milestones, An Se Young remains a player to watch—a combination of talent, dedication, and relentless ambition.