Ahn Se-young poses with BWF President Kooning after receiving the Women’s Singles Player of the Year award at the ‘2025 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Final Gala Dinner’ held in Hangzhou, China on the evening of the 15th. Photo/BWF
[Reporter Kim Kyung-moo]‘Shuttlecock Queen’ Ahn Se-young (23, Samsung Life Insurance) won two awards, including the honor of ‘the Players’ Player of the Year’ (women’s category).
It was at the 2025 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Final Gala Dinner held in Hangzhou, China on the evening of the 15th.
According to BWF on this day, World No. 1 Se-young Ahn said, “I am very honored to receive this award. It is an encouragement to work harder. The title proves my efforts, but the award chosen by the players is very special because it means recognition from other players and the affection and gratitude of my competitors.” (“I feel honored to be presented with these awards. They are encouragement for me to make more efforts. Winning titles proves my efforts; however, the Players’ Player of the Year Award is recognition from other players and it embodies the love and appreciation of my competitors, so it’s a very special one.” (BWF original)
In addition, Ahn Se-young, who won the BWF World Tour 10 times this year, was also selected as ‘Women’s Singles Players of the Year’ as expected. This is the third consecutive year of receiving the award, following 2023 and 2024. This is the first female athlete to win 3 times in a row.
Player of the Year. BWF Official
China’s Shi Xiuqi (29, 石宇奇) also won the honor of ‘Player of the Year Selected by Players’ (men’s category) along with ‘Men’s Singles Player of the Year’.
He said, “I won the Player of the Year award last year, but the performance between last year and this year is incomparable. If I were to grade 2025, it would be about 8 or 9 out of 10. But I will keep moving forward.”
Among Korean players, Seo Seung-jae (28) and Kim Won-ho (26, Samsung Life Insurance), who are ranked No. 1 in the world and won 10 tour tournaments, including this year’s World Championships, became winners in the ‘Men’s Doubles Player of the Year’ category.
Kim Won-ho expressed his thoughts, saying, “It’s an award I’ve always wanted to receive, so I’m really happy to receive it with Seung-jae. I didn’t expect him to do so well this season. It was a great honor to be on the same team with my brother, and I gave it my all on the court.”
Seung-jae Seo and Won-ho Kim were named Men’s Doubles Players of the Year. BWF Official
In women’s doubles, world No. 1 Ryu Sheng-seo (21) and Tan Ning (22) of China, and in mixed doubles, world No. 4 Dechapol Puavaranukro (28) and Sufisara Pausampran (24) of Thailand were each named Player of the Year.
BWF explained, “This award is awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation of exceptional talent, consistency, fair play, and personality shown during one season from December of last year to November of this year.”
The award ceremony was presented by BWF Chairman Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.
The Korea Badminton Association also announced the news of Ahn Se-young’s award through social media on this day.
[기사제보 tennis@tennis.co.kr]
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