China’s Sina Sports is analyzing whether the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) introduction of the ’15-point 3-game system’ is intended to check Ahn Se-young’s dominance, or whether it is a more advantageous regulation. Ahn Se-young evolved from a traditional defensive player into a complete player with both offense and defense, and dominated her opponent at the Indian Open by ending the match 15 points earlier from the round of 32 to the final. BWF is scheduled to decide on April 25 whether to introduce the 15-point system in Denmark.
[OSEN=강필주 기자] China is also wondering what effect the change in introduction of the ’15-point system’ will have on ‘Badminton Empress’ Ahn Se-young (24, Samsung Life Insurance).
On the 23rd (Korean time), China’s ‘Sina Sports’ reported an analysis of whether the ’15-point 3-game system’ being promoted by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is a check to prevent Ahn Se-young’s dominance, or a customized rule that is more advantageous to Ahn Se-young.
The media explained, “Ahn Se-young’s style of attrition focusing on high-scoring rallies was like a nightmare for his opponents. After the 2022 Asian Games, he suffered from injuries (especially knees and muscles) and once withdrew due to injuries. Looking at this, shortening the game time can significantly reduce physical strength consumption.”
In fact, the badminton world is about to change to a ’15-point, 3-out-2-win 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.
He also argued that the problem is not simply the 15-point rule. The media emphasized, “What is more important is that Ahn Se-young is no longer a purely defensive player. He has already evolved into a complete player who combines offense and defense.”
He continued, “Last week’s India Open was proof of that. We finished 8 out of 10 games before 15 points, overwhelming our opponents,” and added, “It was evaluated as if it was a preliminary experiment for the 15-point system.”
In fact, Ahn Se-young finished the round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final at the India Open with a score of 2-0. Among them, except for the first game of the round of 32 against Nozomi Okhara (31, Japan) and the first game of the quarterfinals against Putri Kusuma Wardani (24, Indonesia), all of them did not allow 15 points to the opponent.
The media concluded, “Amid these changes, Ahn Se-young no longer relies on long-term attrition,” and “some analysis suggests that a situation has opened up where she can overpower her opponent with a faster tempo.”
At the end, he asked, “In conclusion, is this change in the point system advantageous or disadvantageous to Ahn Se-young?” However, he thought that even if it was changed to a 15-point system, it would not have any significant impact on Ahn Se-young’s status.
There are conflicting opinions from many experts and community sites as to whether the 15-point system can affect Ahn Se-young’s solo system. Some said it was a “check against Ahn Se-young,” while others argued that it was “customized to Ahn Se-young.”
However, attention was paid to the fact that Ahn Se-young has already evolved from being a ‘defensive type’ to an ‘offensive-defense leader’ who plays both offense and defense. They have already proven this by winning both competitions held this year (Malaysia and India).
In the end, even if Ahn Se-young’s score is short, if he maintains his unique precise shot control and fast tempo pressure, he can use it as an opportunity to destroy his opponent more efficiently.
Meanwhile, 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 (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 upon returning home after completing the BWF World Tour Finals in December last year, 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 I play 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.” / letmeout@osen.co.kr
[사진] Korean Badminton Association/BADMINTON PHOTO, BWF social media.
