Badminton emperor Ahn Se-young won the ‘Global Sports Leadership’ category at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by reporter Park Ji-young
(Xports News Yeouido, Reporter Kim Ji-su) Ahn Se-young, world number one in badminton women’s singles, stood tall as Korea’s best sports star this year at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ hosted by the Korea Brand Promotion Agency and the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee.
Ahn Se-young won the ‘Global Sports Leadership’ category at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th.
Men’s fencing Oh Sang-wook won the ‘Global Sports Championship’ category.
Se-young Ahn received the trophy from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young. Because there were many winners in other categories, it was not possible to leave a separate acceptance speech. As the event progressed more slowly than initially expected, even after the awards ceremony ended, the participants went straight to the training site for afternoon training without an official interview.
Ahn Se-young is becoming Korea’s top sports star this year. Asia Brand Research Institute, a big data evaluation agency, announced on the 26th that Ahn Se-young ranked first in the sports star category of the K-Brand Index. He beat Son Heung-min, the best star player in Korean soccer, Min-jae Kim, who plays for Bayern Munich, Germany’s most prestigious team, and Jeong-hoo Lee, who plays in the American Major League.
From the 11th to the 28th of last month, Gallup Korea asked 1,700 people over the age of 13 across the country (excluding Jeju) to name up to two sports players who best shone in Korea this year (free response). As a result, Ahn Se-young ranked third with 12.2% of the support. Although the gap with first place Son Heung-min (76.1%) is large, Ahn Se-young’s vote rate soared three times compared to two years ago, proving that she is the best in terms of recent rise.
Badminton emperor Ahn Se-young won the ‘Global Sports Leadership’ category at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by reporter Park Ji-young
Ahn Se-young won the championship by defeating China’s Wang Zhiyi, ranked second in the world, in the women’s singles final of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals 2025 held at the Olympic Sports Center in Hangzhou, China on the 21st. By reaching the top of this competition, which has the nature of a battle of kings, he has firmly established his position as ‘No. 1’.
In addition, Ahn Se-young has won a total of 11 times, starting with the Malaysia Open last January, three Super 1000 tournaments including the All England Open and Indonesia Open, five Super 750 tournaments including the India Open, Japan Open, China Masters, Denmark Open, and French Open, the Australian Open, a Super 500 tournament, and the Orleans Masters, a Super 300 tournament.
Ahn Se-young is now on par with the record for most wins in a single season held by Japan’s men’s singles legend Kento Momota in 2019 for both men and women. This is the first time that a women’s singles player has won 11 championships in a single season.
Ahn Se-young (right) is receiving a certificate and trophy in the ‘Global Sports Leadership’ category from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by reporter Park Ji-young
Ahn Se-young recorded 73 wins and 4 losses in a total of 77 games, including 5 singles games at the Sudirman Cup, the 2025 mixed team world championship, showing an incredible performance with a win rate of 94.8%. For the first time in badminton history, the prize money for a single season exceeded $1 million (KRW 1.5 billion).
Without any doubt, the badminton women’s singles is heading towards GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). BWF also went so far as to call Ahn Se-young “Young GOAT” after winning the World Tour Finals.
Ahn Se-young plans to continue on the court in 2026. I am leaving for Malaysia on the night of the 31st, the last day of this year. Starting from January 6th next year, we will begin our New Year’s journey starting with the Malaysian Open, a Super 1000 tournament held in Malaysia. Next, the India Open (Super 750) will be held in New Delhi, India, starting on January 13th.
In the case of the Malaysia Open and the India Open, according to BWF regulations, participation is mandatory for those ranked 1st to 15th in the women’s singles world rankings. Ahn Se-young will face world-class players starting from the new year.
Badminton emperor Ahn Se-young (second from the right) won the ‘Global Sports Leadership’ category at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by reporter Park Ji-young
Attention is also being paid to whether Ahn Se-young can achieve 30 consecutive wins for the second time in her career through the Malaysia Open and India Open. Ahn Se-young had a 27-game winning streak from last January to the Singapore Open in May. His personal best record is 33 consecutive wins.
Meanwhile, the ‘National Brand Conference’, where Ahn Se-young received the award, began in 2015. Hosted by the National Brand Promotion Agency, the Korea Brand Promotion Agency announces the achievements and awards awards to companies, institutions, and individuals who have brightened the national brand and image in the international community.
In the field of sports, an athlete representing Korean sports is selected every year, starting with ‘figure skating queen’ Yuna Kim being honored as the first award winner. In 2024, Kim Woo-jin, the men’s archer who won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, became the star.
Badminton emperor Ahn Se-young (center) won the ‘Global Sports Leadership’ category at the ‘2025 National Brand Conference’ held at the main auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by reporter Park Ji-young
Photo = Yeouido, reporter Park Ji-young
Reporter Jisoo Kim jisoo@xportsnews.com
