Badminton world’s strongest player Ahn Se-young (world No. 1) got off to a shaky start in the first match of the Badminton Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals 2025 (King and King), which is challenging the record for the most wins in a single season.
Ahn Se-young defeated Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani (21-168-21 21-8) in the first Group A match of the Women’s Singles held at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center in China on the 17th.
In this competition, where the world’s top eight participants participate, Ahn Se-young belonged to Group A along with Wardani, Akane Yamaguchi (4th), and Tomoka Miyazaki (9th, Japan).
Ahn Se-young was reeling from some ups and downs against Wardani in the first game, but he was able to take a breather with the result. If you secure second place in the group, you can head to the semi-finals.
So far, Ahn has won 10 games this season. If he wins the trophy by this tournament, he will tie the record of most wins in a single season set by Japan’s Kento Momota, who won 11 games in the men’s singles in 2019. It is also the first record in women’s singles.
In the first game, Ahn Se-young continued to exchange with Wardani. In a neck-and-neck race of 16-16, Ahn won five points in a row to gain the upper hand.
However, in the second game, he handed over the flow to Wardani from the beginning. He struggled, allowing as many as 10 points while trailing 5-6. Ahn Se-young ended up winning only three more points, losing her pride 8-21.
In the next three games, Ahn Se-young properly paid back to Wardani. I’ve had the lead from the beginning. He led 6-0 and showed an overwhelming performance. Ahn continued her offensive and finished 21–8.
Ahn Se-young, who has one win, will face Miyazaki for the second time on the morning of the 18th.
[Kim Young Hoon, MK Sports Reporter]
