15-Point Badminton: Protecting Stars Like Ahn Se-young

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Myeong-eon = “The claim that the discussion on introducing a new scoring system is to dampen the momentum of certain players is a groundless speculation and is completely untrue.”

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) directly refuted the claim that the ‘introduction of the 15-point system’, which is currently under discussion, is a device to keep Ahn Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance), the star of Korean badminton, in check.

BWF Secretary-General Thomas Lund sent an official statement to Yonhap News, expressing regret over the controversy and explaining, “Rather, this system reform is intended to create an environment in which top star players like Ahn Se-young can play for a longer period of time.”

Unlike the existing ’21 points, 3 out of 2 wins’ system, the new system aims to ensure that the first player to score 15 points in each game wins.

As the score per game decreases by as much as 6 points, the tempo of the game is bound to speed up dramatically.

Also, the weight of each set rally becomes much greater than before. This is because early mistakes can directly lead to loss of the game.

In the end, the key variable in winning or losing changes from a persistent battle of stamina to instantaneous explosive power.

As the landscape of the game itself has changed, some are concerned that the reform of the system could have a detrimental effect on Ahn Se-young, who is good at turning the tide in the second half of the game based on her steel stamina.

In addition, some are wary of whether this discussion is in fact a check to prevent ‘Ahn Se-young’s dominance.’

Secretary General Lund explained, “The introduction of the 15-point system is an attempt to transform badminton into a dynamic and attractive sport in line with modern spectator trends.”

He said, “By increasing the importance of rallies and forming a winning team from the beginning of the game, we want to make badminton a faster and more exciting sport. Above all, if the number of points per game is reduced, the physical burden on players can be eased.”

In fact, discussions on reforming BWF’s point system began in 2014, long before Ahn Se-young’s appearance.

BWF originally proposed the introduction of the ’11-point, 5-out, 3-win system’ as an official agenda in 2018 and 2021, but it was canceled one after another as the approval vote of member countries at the time fell short of the two-thirds quorum for approval.

BWF, which has been rejected twice, has begun reforming the system once again by presenting the ’15-point system’, which is a compromise of the existing 11-point system, as an alternative, and has begun pilot operation.

BWF plans to confirm whether or not to finally introduce the 15-point system after voting for or against member countries at the regular general meeting held in Horsens, Denmark, on April 25 next year (local time).

If this agenda is passed, world badminton will face a new scoring system for the first time in 20 years since the 21-point system was introduced in 2006.

In fact, Ahn Se-young showed a calm yet positive response to this system reform.

Ahn Se-young recently returned to Korea after finishing the World Tour Finals tournament, the king of badminton, and predicted at an airport press conference, “(If the rules are changed), of course, there will be some difficulties in the beginning. However, I think we will adapt as we play and it will lead to good results.”

He continued, “On the other hand, since the score will be reduced, I think the physical burden will be lessened. I think it would be better if you think about that aspect.”

coup@yna.co.kr

▶ Report via KakaoTalk okjebo