An Se Young Claims Second World Championships Crown, Keeps India Winning Run Alive

An Se Young Dominates Yamaguchi to Win Second World Championships Title in Delhi

The chants of “Let’s go, An Se Young, let’s go” echoed around the Indira Gandhi Stadium as Delhi once again embraced the Korean badminton star. A day after nearly 8,000 fans had gathered to support home favourites Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, the stands were packed again on Sunday — this time for An, who has steadily become a crowd favourite in the Indian capital.

The World No. 1 repaid that support with a clinical performance, defeating three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14 in just 49 minutes to win her second BWF World Championships women’s singles title.

An arrived in New Delhi carrying a foot injury that had kept her sidelined for a month. She took some time to rediscover her rhythm, but once she did, the tournament quickly turned into another demonstration of her dominance.

She did not drop a single game throughout the championships and was taken beyond an hour only once, during her semi-final against China’s World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi.

A 35th career meeting with Yamaguchi was expected to produce another marathon, given the history between the two. Instead, An made the contest look surprisingly straightforward. She played with aggression from the outset and refused to allow Yamaguchi to settle. Rather than becoming involved in the exhausting rallies that have defined their previous encounters, An repeatedly attacked whenever she saw an opening.

Her net play proved particularly damaging. Delicate drops and sharp exchanges in the forecourt forced Yamaguchi into uncomfortable positions, while An’s speed and court coverage left the Japanese unable to build sustained pressure.

The crowd played its part too. Every successful rally from An was greeted with loud cheers, underlining the special bond she has developed with Delhi over the years. After sealing the championship, An showed a rare glimpse of her playful side. She struck a celebratory pose for the cameras, walked towards the stands and hit a shuttle into the crowd before joining her coaches in celebration.

Her connection with Indian fans has grown throughout the week. She repeatedly acknowledged their support with waves and bows, and on Sunday she had perhaps her biggest reason yet to celebrate with them.

The victory also extended an extraordinary record for An in India. She remains unbeaten in completed matches on Indian soil and has won the India Open three times, in 2023, 2025 and 2026. Now, she has added another World Championships crown in New Delhi.

An first made history by becoming South Korea’s first women’s singles world champion in 2023. She subsequently won individual and team gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou before adding Olympic gold at Paris 2024. With more than 30 BWF World Tour titles, including multiple All England, Malaysia and Singapore Open crowns, the 23-year-old has established herself as the defining player of her generation.

Her game is built on relentless defence, exceptional movement and remarkable stamina, earning her a reputation as badminton’s ultimate “retriever”. Yet her performance against Yamaguchi showed that she can be just as devastating when she chooses to attack.

Delhi came expecting another An Se Young masterclass.

The Korean star gave them exactly that — and another world title to celebrate.