Ahn Se-young: Potential Badminton Rivals?

[OSEN=강필주 기자] “Is there a player who can compete with the strongest Ahn Se-young (23, Samsung Life Insurance)?” The answer to the question posed by a Chinese media outlet was “yes.”

On the 24th, ‘QQ’, a portal operated by China’s ‘Tencent’, said, ‘Ahn Se-young surpassed Lin Dan and set the record for highest win percentage in a single season’ and ‘How much dominance is Ahn Se-young now? The question was asked, ‘Is there a player in China who can compete with her?’

When Ahn Se-young achieved an unprecedented record of 11 wins in the 2025 season, China, which claimed to be the world’s strongest badminton country, fell into deep sorrow.

In the face of Ahn Se-young, who posted a monster winning rate of 94.80% (73 wins in 77 games), the media acknowledged the inferiority of their country’s players but wanted to see hope.

Ahn Se-young’s actual dominance is surprising. Men’s singles legends Lin Dan (China) and Lee Chongwei (Malaysia) far exceeded the 92.75% they held together in their prime.

Ahn Se-young has allowed only 4 losses this season. Now, her victories have become routine, and the fact that she beats Ahn Se-young or that Ahn Se-young loses becomes news.

Chinese players are also unable to show their courage in front of Ahn Se-young. World No. 2 Wang Zhiyi (25, China), who faced Ahn Se-young in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals 2025 women’s singles final, has lost all eight matches this season.

In the shadow of Ahn Se-young, I found hope even in the darkness. The media called Chen Yufei (27) “the brightest light in the darkness.”

Chen Yufei is Ahn Se-young’s rival who suffered half of the four losses. In the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open in May, he broke Ahn Se-young’s unbeaten streak of 27 consecutive wins and a 100% season winning rate. Chen Yufei defeated Ahn Seyoung at the world championships.

At the time, Chen Yu-fei said, “Against Ahn Se-young, I always go into the game with the mindset of learning and challenging myself,” and added, “That empty attitude led to the victory.”

Ahn Se-young and Chen Yu-fei’s overall record against each other is also tight at 15 wins and 15 losses. This is why China has no choice but to cling to the ‘torture of hope’ called Chen Yufei in front of the huge wall called An Se-young.

The media acknowledged Ahn Se-young’s evolution from a ‘genius girl’ to an ’empress’ during the coronation ceremony. Now, the focus is on whether, like Lin Dan, he will consistently remain at the top for nearly 10 years.

However, it is pointed out that there are variables. In the end, Ahn Se-young’s knee injury and physical exhaustion are the key. Ahn Se-young herself confessed, “I thought my career would end because of the injury.”

China chose Chen Yufei as the opponent for Ahn Se-young. However, the expectation of a single solution is close to self-deprecation regarding reality. China is looking forward to the emergence of young resources that can bring new stimulation and change. /letmeout@osen.co.kr