The Badminton World Federation (BWF) directly refuted the claim that the introduction of the ’15-point system’ was a system to keep ‘Badminton Empress’ Ahn Se-young (23, Samsung Life Insurance) in check.
BWF Secretary-General Thomas Lund recently sent an official statement to Yonhap News saying, “The claim that discussions on introducing a new scoring system are aimed at dampening the momentum of specific players is groundless speculation and is completely untrue.”
Currently, the badminton world is discussing a ’15-point system’ in which the first player to score 15 points in each game wins, instead of the existing ’21-point, 3-out-2-win system’. This means that the score per game will be reduced by 6 points to speed up the tempo of the game and increase the importance of each rally.
![[사진] BWF](https://file.osen.co.kr/article/2025/12/29/202512290847770840_6951c782a14ce.jpeg)
This means that a small mistake in the beginning can immediately lead to a set loss. The difference between winning and losing can be a battle of momentary explosive power and concentration rather than physical strength.
In that respect, there was an assessment that it could be detrimental to Ahn Se-young, who plays based on her strong physical strength. As the likelihood that Ahn Se-young’s dominance will continue increases, some argue that the introduction of a system to prevent this has become persuasive.
However, Secretary General Lund clearly drew a line, saying, “The claim that the discussion on introducing a new scoring system is aimed at dampening the momentum of specific players is groundless speculation and is completely untrue.”
He added, “Rather, this system reform is an attempt to create an environment where top star players like Ahn Se-young can play for a longer period of time,” adding, “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.”
![[사진] BWF](https://file.osen.co.kr/article/2025/12/29/202512290847770840_6951c7820ef22.jpeg)
He also 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 points per game are reduced, the physical burden on players can be eased.”
In fact, it is known that discussions on reforming the BWF’s point system have been ongoing since 2014, long before Ahn Se-young’s appearance. BWF has proposed ‘11 points, 5 out of 3 wins’ as its official agenda twice in 2018 and 2021.
However, all of them were canceled as the number of votes in favor of member states did not reach the quorum (two-thirds). Afterwards, BWF brought up the 15-point system, which was a compromise, as an alternative, and is currently in the pilot operation stage.
![[사진] BWF](https://file.osen.co.kr/article/2025/12/29/202512290847770840_6951c7817d9d2.jpeg)
BWF plans to decide whether to finally introduce the 15-point system through a vote by member countries at the regular general meeting held in Horsens, Denmark, on April 25 next year (local time). If passed, badminton will undergo a change in its scoring system for the first time in 20 years since the 21-point system was introduced in 2006.
In an interview after returning home from the recent BWF World Tour Finals, Ahn Se-young said about the 15-point system, “I think it will be a bit difficult in the beginning. However, I think I will adapt as the game progresses and it will lead to good results.”
He then showed a positive attitude by adding, “If the score decreases, the physical burden will be lessened. Considering that, I think it might actually be a good thing.” /[email protected]
