South Korean badminton star An Se-young has once again demonstrated her world-class resilience and skill, advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in New Delhi. Despite challenging windy conditions and not being in peak physical condition, An, ranked world No. 3, defeated China’s He Bingjiao, ranked world No. 5, with a decisive 2-0 scoreline in the women’s singles quarterfinals. This victory guarantees An at least a bronze medal, as the World Championships award medals to both semifinal losers.
Navigating Difficult Conditions
The match against He Bingjiao was not without its struggles. An Se-young admitted that controlling her shots was particularly difficult due to the strong winds present in the arena. “Today, the wind was quite strong, so I had to adjust my shots carefully,” An stated through the Badminton Korea Association. “I focused on finding my rhythm by concentrating on one point at a time, and I’m glad it worked out in the end.”
In the first game, An faced a momentary setback, trailing 17-18 after being overtaken by He Bingjiao. She also experienced discomfort in her left ankle, an injury that has troubled her previously. Despite these challenges, An remained composed. She managed to regain the lead at 19-18 and ultimately secured the first game with a 21-19 victory.
The second game saw a similar pattern of initial difficulty. An found herself trailing 7-9 early on. However, she rallied to equalize at 9-9 and gradually took control of the match. After taking a narrow 11-10 lead, An went on a dominant scoring run, extending her advantage to 18-10 before closing out the game 21-12, completing the 2-0 sweep.
An Se-young’s Tournament Dominance
Throughout the current World Championships, An Se-young has been in formidable form, not dropping a single game. Her victories have been consistent and convincing:
- Round of 32: Defeated Kaloyana Natchkova (Bulgaria) 2-0
- Round of 16: Defeated Talita Ika Ramadhani (Indonesia) 2-0
- Quarterfinals: Defeated He Bingjiao (China) 2-0
This streak highlights her ability to perform at a high level even when facing adversity. An had previously withdrawn from the Japan Open due to swelling in her left ankle and skipped the China Open. She had openly acknowledged that her physical condition was not yet at its peak for this tournament.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
An Se-young expressed her satisfaction with her progress, noting improvements in both her physical and mental state. “I’m really happy. My body and mind are continuously getting better, and I feel I’m improving each day,” she remarked. “I need to focus on tomorrow’s match. I want to achieve a good result in this tournament.”
Her next opponent in the semifinals will be Wang Zhiyi, the world No. 3 from China. An Se-young has a strong recent record against Wang, having won their encounters in the Asian Championships and the Uber Cup finals after a loss in the All England Open final in March. With only two more matches standing between her and a potential World Championship title, An is determined to maintain her focus and overcome any remaining obstacles.
A Test of Mental Fortitude
The journey to this stage has been a testament to An Se-young’s mental fortitude. Facing not only a strong opponent in He Bingjiao but also the unpredictable element of wind and lingering physical concerns, she managed to steer the match back in her favor. Her ability to adapt and find her rhythm under pressure has been key to her success.
As she prepares for the semifinals, An Se-young is aiming to cap off her remarkable performance at the World Championships with a gold medal, further solidifying her position at the pinnacle of women’s singles badminton.
