An Se-young Two Wins Away from Badminton Grand Slam After Dominant Quarterfinal Display

NINGBO, China — The quest for badminton immortality is now just two matches away for An Se-young. The world number one continued her relentless march toward the 2026 Asia Badminton Championships title on Friday, dismantling Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in the quarterfinals to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Competing at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center, An delivered a clinical performance, defeating Miyazaki in straight games, 21-16, 21-10. The match lasted just 43 minutes, extending An’s head-to-head record against the Japanese star to a perfect 7-0. For An, the victory is more than just a step forward in a tournament; it is a critical stride toward completing a career Grand Slam.

To understand the magnitude of this run, one must look at the trophy cabinet. An has already conquered the three most prestigious peaks in the sport: the Olympic Games (Paris), the World Championships, and the Asian Games (Hangzhou). The Asia Badminton Championships—a BWF Super 1000 level event featuring the elite of China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia—remains the final piece of the puzzle.

A Path of Absolute Dominance

An’s progression through the 2026 bracket has been characterized by an almost frightening level of efficiency. Before her quarterfinal clash with Miyazaki, An faced Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh in the round of 16 on April 9. In that encounter, An left no room for doubt, winning 2-0 (21-7, 21-6) in a match that concluded in only 30 minutes.

The victory over Miyazaki is particularly significant given the opponent’s pedigree. At 20 years old, Miyazaki has been touted as the successor to Akane Yamaguchi, having previously claimed the world junior title in 2022 and reaching world number one in the junior rankings in 2023. Despite Miyazaki’s rise to world number nine, she was unable to find an answer for An’s defensive mastery and precise attacking transitions.

Note for readers: In badminton, a “Career Grand Slam” in this context refers to winning the most prestigious major titles available to a player, spanning the Olympics, World Championships, and regional championships like the Asian Games and Asia Championships.

Overcoming the Injury Shadow

This run to the semifinals is even more impressive considering the uncertainty that clouded An’s participation just weeks ago. Following the All England Open, An suffered injuries to her right knee and right adductor (inner thigh muscle). The severity of the injuries led to early reports that she might withdraw from the Asia Championships entirely to prioritize long-term rehabilitation.

The Korea Badminton Association had previously indicated that An might skip the event to focus on recovery, citing the need for thorough rehab before eyeing another opportunity in 2027. However, An opted to return for the Ningbo event, turning what could have been a cautious comeback into a dominant display of power, and agility.

The Road to the Final: An All-Korean Semifinal

The path to the gold medal now takes a domestic turn. An Se-young is scheduled to face her teammate and fellow South Korean, Sim Yu-jin (world number 15), in the semifinals. While the match guarantees a Korean presence in the final, it presents a tactical challenge as teammates often possess intimate knowledge of each other’s training regimens and weaknesses.

For An, the stakes remain the same: a victory over Sim would position her one match away from the title and the historic Grand Slam. For Sim, it is an opportunity to play the role of spoiler against the world’s most dominant force in women’s singles.

An Se-young’s Path to the Grand Slam

As the tournament enters its final stages in Ningbo, the badminton world is watching to see if An Se-young can maintain this momentum. If she secures the next two wins, she will have achieved a feat that cements her status as the absolute ruler of the shuttlecock.

The semifinal match between An Se-young and Sim Yu-jin is the next confirmed checkpoint in the tournament. Stay tuned to Archysport for live updates and a full recap of the final.

Do you think An Se-young’s dominance is untouchable, or can Sim Yu-jin pull off the upset in the semifinals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.