Korean Badminton Star: China’s New Doubles Threat

[스포티비뉴스=장하준 기자] One of the names that made China the most uncomfortable on the international badminton stage in 2025 was Seo Seung-jae. His presence, which brought down the Great Wall of China one after another, lasted throughout the season, and even as the new year began, China could not hide its tension in front of the name Seo Seung-jae.

Chinese media ‘Titan News’ reported on the 6th that “Chinese badminton won a total of 51 gold medals in major competitions such as the 2025 World Tour, World Championship, and Sudirman Cup.” However, he added, “There are still clear obstacles to China’s plan to dominate all sports.”

The country pointed out as the obstacle was Korea. Titan Newspaper analyzed, “Korea also won 34 gold medals and formed a strong rivalry with China. At the core of this competitive structure are Ahn Se-young in women’s singles and Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae in men’s doubles.”

Ahn Se-young has already established herself as the world’s strongest player, requiring no explanation. He won 11 championships in 2025 alone, matching the record for most wins in a season set by Japanese men’s singles legend Kento Momota in 2019.

However, the person who attracted the attention of the Chinese media more strongly was Seo Seung-jae. Seo Seung-jae won 11 wins this season in men’s doubles with Kim Won-ho, and including the Thailand Masters victory with Jin-yong, he lifted a total of 12 trophies. This was more wins than Ahn Se-young in the same year.

From China’s perspective, it was even more of a burden. This is because the next-generation men’s doubles teams, such as Wang Chang-Liang Weikheng and Chen Boyang-Liu Yi, were at the top of the world rankings, but they were held back by Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho at every crucial moment and fell apart. Titan Newspaper described this trend as “the biggest challenge and object of fear for Chinese men’s doubles.”

Seo Seung-jae’s value was also recognized by international organizations. The World Badminton Federation elevated Seo Seung-jae to the ranks of legends, calling him “a player who changed the trend of men’s doubles, which had not been broken for 37 years.” The evaluation was that whoever his partner was on the court, his ability to maximize his chances of winning was unrivaled.

Now the top priority for Chinese badminton in 2026 is clear. It was more than Seo Seung-jae. However, a difficult test awaits from the start of the new season. At the Malaysia Open, which is the opening game of the season, Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho and Chen Boyang and Liu Yi will face off in the first round.

The confrontation that China most wanted to avoid has become a reality. There is a greater possibility that the dignity of Seo Seung-jae, who dominated 2025, will be proven once again on the first stage of the new season.