An Se-young is carving her title into sports activities historical past as one of many world’s longest reigning No. 1 badminton gamers, sustaining a stranglehold on the ladies’s singles rating for 55 consecutive weeks. Whereas she has not but surpassed the all-time file set by Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan, An’s dominance all through this 12 months has left conventional badminton powerhouses China and Taiwan in awe.
Her supremacy is underscored by extraordinary statistics: An has clinched 9 main singles titles in 2025 alone, together with triumphs on the Malaysia Open, India Open, Orleans Masters, All England Open, Indonesia Open, Japan Open, China Masters, Denmark Open and French Open. Her victory on the French Open, together with its $66,500 prize, pushed her whole season earnings previous 1 billion gained — a primary for any Korean badminton star — whereas her profession prize cash now exceeds $2.2 million.
An boasts a season file of 63 wins and simply 4 losses, driving her win price as much as 90 p.c — outperforming even her spectacular earlier data. Chinese language sports activities media and followers have lavished reward on her, with NetEase suggesting, “An Se-young’s abilities are so distinctive she might keep world No. 1 for 150 to 200 weeks,” whereas Sina Sports activities described her as “probably the most full gamers in badminton historical past,” noting that “there’s merely no viable technique to defeat her.”
The publication added: “It’s now an environment of ‘There’s no disgrace in shedding to the GOAT,'” referring to her rise as a “Best of All Time” determine within the sport.
An Se Younger is in motion within the girls’s singles last towards Wang Zhi Yi, China (not seen) on the Denmark Open badminton match in Odense, Denmark, Oct. 19. EPA-Yonhap
Media from Taiwan have additionally highlighted her impression, spotlighting her 42-minute demolition of Wang Zhiyi for a fifth Tremendous 750 trophy — a uncommon “profession Grand Slam” and one other milestone within the GOAT debate. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) echoed this respect, calling An “badminton’s most dominant pressure” after her newest triumph.
Her supremacy comes after a sequence of home hurdles, notably in her interactions with the Korean Badminton Federation (BKA) and the realities of Korea’s sports activities infrastructure.
Her supremacy overseas is made all of the extra outstanding by the obstacles she has overcome at house. After securing Olympic gold in Paris, An spoke out concerning the outdated administration and insufficient damage care from the Korean Badminton Federation, in addition to strict guidelines that stifle athlete independence and sponsorship alternatives.
She criticized rigid tools rules and restricted entry to non-public trainers, whereas additionally pointing to Korean badminton’s restricted funding and underdeveloped elite coaching programs — a stark distinction to different high badminton nations.
With simply two tournaments left in 2025, An is on the verge of additional record-breaking achievements. Ought to she win each, she would finish the season at an astonishing 73 wins and simply 4 losses, approaching a staggering 94.8 p.c win price — additional solidifying her place as one of many sport’s trendy legends.
