“It instilled fear in the hearts of Chinese badminton players.”
The Vietnamese media is also carefully watching the solo performance of ‘Shuttlecock Empress’ Ahn Se-young (24, Samsung Life Insurance). In particular, we focused on the ‘public anomaly syndrome’ of Chinese badminton players.
The online version of Youth News, a local Vietnamese media outlet, reported on the 19th (local time), ‘Korea’s Ahn Se-young, world number one in badminton women’s singles, easily defeated China’s Wang Zhiyi to win the 2026 India Open final, and her name once again instilled fear in the hearts of Chinese badminton players.’ Seyoung Ahn defeated Wang Zhiyi in New Delhi, India on the 18th to win the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 750 India Open.
As reported by the Vietnamese media, Chinese players may develop ‘public anxiety syndrome.’ Among them, world number 2 Wang Zhiyi is a symbolic example. Wang Zhiyi, the strongest Chinese women’s singles player, has suffered 10 consecutive losses to Ahn Se-young from the Malaysia Open in January last year to the final of the India Open on the 18th. His overall record stands at 4 wins and 18 losses. Even in the finals of international competitions, she is far behind Ahn Se-young with 1 win and 10 losses.
The media reported, ‘Fans were not surprised (that Ahn Se-young defeated Wang Zhiyi) because it is a common situation whenever he faces Chinese players.’ In fact, Ahn Se-young defeated Wang Zhiyi to win the Super 1000 Malaysia Open, the first tournament of the year. He then defeated Wang Zhiyi in the finals of the India Open, continuing his 10-game winning streak against his last opponent. The only time Wang Zhiyi defeated Ahn Se-young in the final was at the 2024 Denmark Open.
There are many Chinese players who bowed down to Ahn Se-young. The media pointed out, ‘Not only Wang Zhiyi, but also the current generation of powerful Chinese players, including Chen Yufei, He Bingjiao, Gao Fang Jie, and Li Xueili, suffered a painful loss to Ahn Seyoung.’ According to the media, Ahn Se-young has won a total of 21 wins against Chinese players in major tournaments she has participated in so far.
Meanwhile, An Seyoung respected Wang Ziyi. As he entered Incheon International Airport on the 19th, he said, “Every time I play against Wang Ziyi, it’s always a tough game. Still, I want to say thank you so much for always trying my best, and I will also try harder not to lose. I think if Wang Ziyi also works harder to win, we can show good play.”
Reporter Kim Young-seo [email protected]
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