World champion An Se-young sets sights on Asian Games title defense

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- Freshly crowned the world champion, South Korean badminton star An Se-young said Tuesday she will now turn her focus to defending her Asian Games title next month in Japan.

An arrived back home early Tuesday, two days after winning her second career world title in the women's singles in New Delhi. An, world No. 1, defeated second-ranked Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-17, 21-14 in the final to cap a flawless, six-match run, during which she did not lose a game.

It was An's first tournament back since a left foot injury forced her to withdraw from the Japan Open in July after just one match.

"I was quite nervous because this was my first competition back from the injury and I only tried to focus on getting my feel back on the court," An told reporters gathered at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul. "I did not have high expectations for myself, and I was surprised to be able to bring home such a great result."

An admitted she was not completely pain-free throughout the tournament but her conditions improved as the event progressed.

"With some lingering pain, I think I was hesitant in the early going," An said. "But as I continued to play against world-class opponents, I was able to make adjustments and react to certain shots when I had to."

An extended her winning streak against Yamaguchi to six matches. The Japanese veteran once had An's numbers, but the South Korean has had the advantage since rising to No. 1 in the rankings in August 2023.

This trend should also bode well for An's chances of winning her second straight women's singles gold medal at the Asian Games, which will take place next month on Yamaguchi's home turf.

"I think it is a great sign that I have kept on beating her," An said. "If I approach the Asian Games with confidence, like I have nothing to lose, then I think my opponent will tense up. I want to keep doing what I have been doing all along."

With many of An's rivals being from Asia -- Wang Zhiyi of China and Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand were the two other semifinalists at the worlds, while Chen Yufei of China is the reigning Asian Games silver medalist -- the Asian Games will not seem much different from the world championships.

"I would love to win another Asian Games gold medal, but everyone else will want to win it, too," An said. "The most important thing is not to feel too much pressure. I know it will take a lot of hard work to get it done, and I will try to play with confidence."

With her rivals having recently expressed their helplessness against the South Korean star -- after losing to An in the semifinals in New Delhi, Wang playfully asked her, "How do I beat you?" -- An said the difference likely comes in the level of her self-belief.

"I have a great deal of trust in myself and in the work I have put in," An said. "And the biggest key is to play with confidence so that my conviction translates into my performance on the court."