Ahn Se-young: 2024 Competition Goals | Badminton Korea

[인천공항=뉴시스] Reporter Ha Geun-soo = ‘Shuttlecock Empress’ Ahn Se-young (Samsung Life Insurance) pledged to continue to be the best in the world this year as she did last year.

The Korean badminton team, including Ahn Se-young, returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the 19th.

Ahn Se-young, ranked No. 1 in the women’s singles world rankings, took the top spot in succession at the 2026 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Super 1000 Malaysia Open, which ended in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 11th, and the Super 750 India Open, which ended in New Delhi, India, on the 18th.

Last season, Ahn Se-young had a dream year, achieving major records such as tying the most wins in a BWF single season (11 times), the highest winning percentage (94.8%, 73 wins, 4 losses), and accumulated prize money of $1 million (approximately 1.474 billion won).

Ahn Se-young, who left the country as soon as the new year dawned on the 1st, returned with the valuable result of consecutive wins and consecutive title defenses in the two competitions in which she participated as the defending champion.

Ahn Se-young smiled and said, “I went there as soon as the new year started because there was a game, and I am so happy to come back with a good result.”

He met his only opponent, world number 2 Wang Zhiyi (China), in the finals, Malaysia Open, and India Open, and won all of them, and even achieved 10 consecutive wins in their head-to-head match.

“Whenever I play against Wang Ziyi, I feel like I put a lot of thought into it,” said Ahn Se-young. “I want to say thank you for always doing your best. I will also try harder not to lose. I think he will play better if he tries to beat me, too.”

With these two wins, Se-young Ahn has made a smooth start to surpassing the 11 wins she set last year for the season.

He hoped, “There are many big matches this year, so I want to get good results without missing a single one. Since injuries are the biggest concern, I want to finish all the matches well without withdrawing.”

The following is a Q&A with Ahn Se-young.

-Impressions of returning home.
“I went there as soon as the new year started because there was a game, and I’m so happy to come back with a good result.”

-The first match of the new year (Malaysia Open round of 32) was a little difficult.
“During the Malaysia Open, I felt a little tired and had trouble playing. However, I felt like I was recovering while playing, so it was nice to play a little better at the India Open.”

-How do you hold your legs during the competition? What is your current condition?
“I had a cramp during the finals last year. I didn’t play when I was fully recovered, but I think I had a problem with my left leg. My body was a little heavy and I was worried about getting a cramp.”

-The secret to rapid recovery.
“Originally, while preparing for the tournament, I used weights to prevent my strength from being lost, but during the Malaysia Open, I rested completely after the game to recover. I think it worked out well thanks to that.”

-Faster and more aggressive play, compared to the 15-point system?
“I’m not thinking too much about the 15-point system. I felt like I was losing strength physically, so I wanted to finish as quickly as possible. That worked well this time. It was an opportunity to learn how to make plays while adjusting to my physical condition.”

-Already 2 wins this year, what is your goal for the season?
“There are many big matches this year, so I want to get good results without missing a single one. Since injuries are my biggest concern, I want to finish all matches well without withdrawing.”

-’21-0 victory’ was also mentioned as a goal.
“It’s a motivational aspect. It seems like it would be quite difficult to do that in badminton. But if you keep preparing and perfecting it with that goal in mind, I think it will be good practice to get results.”

-Did you have dinner with your rival Wang Ziyi?
“I haven’t eaten it yet. We rarely meet in India, so I haven’t been able to buy it yet.”

-Is there anything you would like to say to Wang Ziyi, who is going through a difficult time?
“Whenever I play against Wang Zhiyi, I always feel like he put a lot of thought into it before coming out. I want to say thank you so much for always doing his best. I will also try harder not to lose. I think he will also show a better play if he tries to beat me.”

-Do you tend to prepare for the ceremony in advance?
“These days, I don’t prepare. I tend to do it on the spot. The time for the ceremony is short. So I only do what I can quickly and on the spot.”

-If you were to pick the most necessary thing to become the best in the world, what would it be?
“I think the attitude of not giving up is the most important. Also, when I play against a good player, I often feel lost because my confidence drops or my play doesn’t come out. It’s important to use that as good practice and keep challenging myself, and to have the confidence to show the play I want to play.”

-The badminton team uniforms are changing next month.
“As long as there is no major change, I think I will continue to wear one-piece dresses. I think it will look good matching the national team clothes.”

-Commentator Ha Tae-kwon praised him as “the best player of all time.”
“I’m a little weak when it comes to compliments, but I’m so grateful. I’m really honored and proud to be able to receive such praise from a legend.”

-This year, there are Asian Games, so managing your physical strength will be important.
“Unless you do your best in every game, good results will not follow. I will do my best in every game I play. If I do that, I think I will be able to get good results at some point in the Asian Games or the World Championships. I will not slow down.”

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