In Focus: South Korean Badminton Star An Se-young

This page was updated on 17th October 2024

In the dynamic world of badminton, emerging talents bring fresh energy and excitement to the sport. One such emerging star from the Republic of Korea is An Se-Young. She is a South Korean badminton sensation whose remarkable achievements and unique playing style have garnered attention from across the globe. With a focused approach to excelling at her craft and improving her skills, An Se-Young is carving her path to greatness.

Career Profile:

1. Women's Singles World Rank: 2
2. Women's Singles World Tour Rank: 9
3. Gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
4. Gold at the 2023 Denmark World Championships
5. Secured Eight BWF titles in 2023
6. Recipient of the 2019's Most Promising Player of the Year.
7. Bronze medal at the 2022 Tokyo World Championships.

Personal Information:

1. Birth Date: 5th February 2002 (22 years as of 11th October 2024)
2. Country: South Korea
3. Height: 1.70m (5 ft. 7 inches)
4. Handedness: Right
5. Coach: Head coach Kim Hak-kyun & coach Rony Agustinus
6. An Se-young's Racket: Yonex Astrox 77 Pro
7. An Se-young's Shoes: Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z2
8. String: Yonex BG80

A Quick Glance at Recent Wins of Paris Olympic Gold Winner

An Se-young had an eventful 2023 and 2024! She won several titles and championships making her a formidable player today.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games Badminton Competition (Paris, France):

An Se Young created history by winning the Olympic Gold for South Korea and thus, ensuring a gold medal for the country after Soo -Hyun’s win in 1996.

Kapal API Indonesia Open 2024 (Jakarta, Indonesia):

An Se Young won a silver at the Indonesia Open in June marking her 5th medal of the year.

KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2024 (Singapore, Singapore):

She won the Singapore Open by defeating popular player Chen Yu Fei of China.

Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships 2024 (Birmingham, England):

In the Super 1000 event, An Se Young stood third on the podium after losing the seminal to Akane Yamaguchi in a grueling match that lasted more than an hour.

Yonex French Open 2024 (Paris, France):

The HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750, Yonex French Open was held in March 2024. An Se Young won the final convincingly after an upset in the first set.

Petronas Malaysia Open 2024 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia):

An Se Young started the new year with a bang by winning the Petronas Malaysia Open against Tai Tzu Ying.

HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2023 (Hangzhou, China):

Held in December, An Se Young won a bronze medal in the world tour finals ending her year on a high.

Kumamoto Masters 2023 (Kumamoto, Japan):

She secured a bronze medal at the tournament after losing the semi-final to Chinese shuttler Chen Yu Fei.

Victor China Open 2023 ( Changzhou, China):

Young won the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 China Open title against Akane Yamaguchi in two straight sets.

Total Energies BWF World Championships 2023 (Copenhagen, Denmark):

An Se-Young won the BWF World Championships 2023 against Spanish shuttler Carolina Marin in straight sets of 21-12 and 21-10.

Daihatsu Japan Open 2023 (Tokyo, Japan):

On the 30th of July 2023, Se-young won the final match against Chinese shuttler He Bingjiao in two straight sets.

Korea Open 2023 ( Seoul, Korea):

An Se-young won the finale of the Korea Open in an exciting match against Taiwanese star Tai Tzu Ying. She won the game in two straight sets: 21-9 and 21-15.

Kapal Api Group Indonesia Open 2023 (Jakarta, Indonesia):

On 17th June 2023, An Se-young lost the semifinal to Chinese player Chen Yu Fei but secured third position in the tournament.

KFF Singapore Open 2023 (Singapore, Singapore):

As a part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750, Se-young won the tournament by competing against Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand Open (Bangkok, Thailand):

This HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament was played from 30 May - 4 June 2023. An Se-young emerged as the winner by defeating Chinese player He Bingjiao in straight sets of 21-10 and 21-19.

Total Energies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023 (Suzhou, China):

Held in China from 14 May- 21 May 2023, An Se-young was a part of the mixed team that won a silver medal.

Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships 2023 (Birmingham, England):

Se-young defeated her opponent Chen Yu Fei in a grueling match that lasted more than an hour to lift the trophy on 19th March 2023.

Yonex German Open 2023 (Mulheim, Germany):

On 12th March 2023, she secured the second position in the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 300 German Open after losing the final to Akane Yamaguchi.

Daihatsu Indonesia Master 2023 (Jakarta, Indonesia):

In the Indonesia Masters, the badminton champ won the first position in a nail-biting match against Spain’s Carolina Marin.

Yonex Sunrise India Open 2023 (New Delhi, India):

In the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament held from 17-22 January 2023, An Se-young lifted the gold medal after a match that lasted 62 minutes.

Petronas Malaysia Open 2023 (Kualampur, Malaysia):

She won the silver medal in the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournament in a close fight with Akane Yamaguchi.

A Quick and Deserving Entry to the Hall of Fame!

At the tender age of nine, An Se-young's coach told her, "You can't be world number one by studying, but in sport, I can make you world number one." His words left an indelible mark on her memory and that’s how she chose the path of a professional badminton player.

In 2017, An Se-young was part of the mixed team that won the Asian Junior Championships in Jakarta. In the same year, when Se-young was only 15 years old, she was selected to represent the national team of the Republic of Korea. At that time, she was only a junior high student.

In the coming years, she displayed her astute sense of badminton by winning her first BWF World Tour title at the Super 300 New Zealand Open by beating Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui of China. Since the implementation of the BWF World Tour in 2018, she has won several titles, making her the rising star of South Korean badminton.

Her breakthrough happened in the year of 2019 when she won the title at the New Zealand Open, Canada Open, Akita Masters, French Open, and Korean Masters. She won the silver at the Hyderabad Open in the same year.

Appreciating her achievements, the BWF awarded her the Most Promising Player of the Year 2019. In 2020, Forbes named her one of Forbes' Asia 30 under 30 in the entertainment and sports category.

In 2020, she restricted her play to only five tournaments due to Covid-19. During the year, her team won a silver at the Asian Women's Team Championship. Her 2021 debut at the Olympics did not yield any medals. However, she was able to win a silver at the Denmark Open and finish strong at the Indonesia badminton festival winning three tournaments. She continued her wins at the Indonesia Masters, Indonesia Open, and World Tour Finals.

In 2022, An Se Young won the Korea Open, the Malaysia Masters, and the Australian Open. Her tam won the Uber cup in 2022. She also secured a silver at the All-England and Japan Open. She won bronze at the women’s single game at the Asian and World Championships.

She became the first Korean woman to win the World Championships title in 2023. She also won the Asian Games and claimed as many as eight titles in the year, thus ensuring a top place on the rankings table.

In 2024, An played several important tournaments but the most eventful win of her journey was clinching the gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Fast and Young: What's the Playing Style of An Se-young?

Se-young's playing style is characterized by her aggressive play and agility. She may have a small frame, but she possesses the power to hit devastating smashes and complement them with quick footwork to confuse her opponents.

She stands out for her remarkable speed and precise shots, keeping her adversaries guessing. When she is on the court, you will notice her rivals on their toes because she maintains constant pressure on them.

Her ability to adapt to various match situations showcases her strategic approach to the game. Her excellent court coverage and versatile shot selection demonstrate maturity at a very young age.

An Se-Young's Favorite Badminton Racket and Other Equipment

To match her aggressive and agile play, An Se-young requires a racket that can handle strong smashes and deliver lightning speed. There is only one racket that can remain true to her expectations and it is Astrox 77 Pro.

An Se-young prefers the racket because it delivers power without compromising speed. Several other players choose the Astrox 77 Pro because of its playability. It is less demanding and can be used by advanced and intermediate players.

It has the NAMD technology for ensuring explosive shots every time the shuttle comes in contact with the racket. It also offers medium flex and a super slim shaft for faster snapback and enhanced racket handling. If you want an affordable and beginner-friendly version of the Astrox 77 Pro, you can opt for Astrox 77 Play.

Her favorite string is the Yonex BG 80 for quick repulsion. She uses the latest Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z2 ladies shoes and pro tournament badminton bag. Explore An Se Young's badminton collection today and select the best equipment to elevate your game.

The Perfect Combination of Aggression and Passion

An Se-Young's journey in the world of badminton is one marked by her incredible passion and calculated aggression. Her recent achievements are a testament to her dedication, determination, and rigorous training routine.

As she continues to make her mark on the international badminton stage, An Se-Young's story inspires young athletes worldwide, reminding them that they, too, can leave a lasting legacy in their choice of sports.