Ahn Se-young: Yonex Sponsorship & Badminton Success

Women’s Badminton’s world’s No. 1 Ahn Se -young won a huge wealth with a sponsorship contract with Yonex 10 billion won for four years. The photo shows Ahn Se -young, who is winning five wins this season, and is serving a ceremony after reaching the top of the World Badminton Federation (BWF) World Tour Indonesia. Jakarta = AP Newsis

‘Badminton Empress’ Ahn Se -young (23) made a ‘remarks’ immediately after winning the gold medal in the Paris Olympic Badminton Women’s Singles last year. It was pointed out that the national team’s operation should be changed, such as allowing personal supplies to be sponsored.

11 months later, Ahn Se -young’s long wind was achieved. Ahn Se -young posted on his social media on the 1st, “I have officially signed a sponsorship contract with Yonex. I will repay it with good performance.”

Ahn Se -young, the world’s No. 1 women’s badminton, has gained enormous wealth. The exact amount of contract was not disclosed, but it is reported to be 10 billion won for four years. This is an unusual amount in all the Korean badminton, as well as amateur sports.

An official of a badminton said, “If the individual sponsorships of the players are released, it will be a reference point for other players.” “In the case of Ahn Se -young, I know that it received a lot of money not only in China but also in the popularity of badminton in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.”

After the Korea Badminton Association allowed personal support for the players, Ahn Se -young received an intensive love call from various companies. Ahn Se -young joined hands with Yonex, the world’s largest company. The Yonex headquarters in Japan spent enough time to take care of Ahn Se -young’s contract.

Ahn Se -young complained that the shoes made by Yonex, a national sponsor last year, when players were restricted by the players’ use. An official from Yonex said, “We will start making customized production after consulting with Ahn Se -young at the Japanese Yonex headquarters. In addition to shoes, Yonex also sponsors rackets and guards that have a big impact on performance.

Ahn Se -young is showing its peak, winning five championships this year since the Paris Olympic gold medal last year. In proportion, it is gathering tremendous fandom around the world. Ahn Se -young reached the top of the Indonesian Open (Super 1000), following the Malaysian Open (Super 1000), India Open (Super 750) and Orlean Masters (Super 300). He also won the best authority of the full -time entitlement and won five times this season, and will challenge the ‘Season 1000 Tournament’ at the Chinese Open (Super 1000), which starts on the 22nd. At the end of last month, the World Badminton Federation (BWF) World Tour Singapore Open (Super 750) is the only defeat this year to 0-2 for Cheonsu Pay (China). An official from Badminton said, “Domestic fans will not realize, but if you go to China or Southeast Asian competitions, local fans think of Ahn Se -young as ‘God’.

However, as the individual sponsorship was made, Yonex’s support for the association decreased to half of the previous year. The Yonex headquarters in Japan maintained the contract period until April 2027, but cut 80%of the initial contract amount. An official from the association said, “As before, the support for the youth and youth national teams continues, and the national team athletes have lost their support, such as rackets and shoes, which are sponsored by personal supplies, but they are contracting with companies individually.” It will also be supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Association.

In addition to Ahn Se -young, Seo Seung -jae (28) and Kim Won -ho (26) also signed a sponsorship contract with Yonex. Baek Han -na (25) and Lee So -hee (31) signed a sponsorship agreement with other supplies companies, Victor.

By Kim Jung -hoon, reporter hun@donga.com