Incheon, South Korea: World No. 1 An Se Young left for Japan on Thursday with two major goals in mind: defend her women’s singles title and help South Korea capture another women’s team gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Despite the expectations surrounding her, the 24-year-old appeared relaxed at Incheon International Airport, stopping for photographs and autographs as fans gathered around to wish her luck before the Korean delegation departed for Nagoya.
Shouts of “An Se Young, fighting!” and “Bring home the gold!” followed her through the terminal as she made time for supporters before joining her teammates.
An Se Young Chasing Another Asian Games Double
An enters the Asian Games as defending champion in both women’s singles and the women’s team event after winning two gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Her objective in Nagoya is straightforward: repeat the double.
The women’s team final is scheduled for September 24, while the women’s singles final will be played on September 29.
If An successfully defends her singles crown, she would add another major achievement to a career that has already established her as the leading women’s singles player of her generation.
World No. 1 Arrives in Nagoya in Outstanding Form
An could hardly arrive at the Asian Games with stronger momentum.
She recently captured the BWF World Championships title before following it with another championship at the China Masters, reinforcing her position at the top of international badminton.
Those results make her one of South Korea’s leading medal hopes in Nagoya and one of the most closely watched badminton players at the Games.
Her consistency, movement and ability to control long rallies have made her difficult to beat throughout the season, and she will once again enter the women’s singles competition as one of the main title contenders.
Korea Also Targets Women’s Team Gold
An’s role will extend beyond the individual event.
South Korea will also rely heavily on her in the women’s team competition, where every singles and doubles match can determine whether a country advances.
Korea enters the event with strong expectations after winning the title in Hangzhou, but the competition is expected to be intense, particularly against traditional badminton powerhouses such as China and Japan.
Having the world No. 1 available for the opening singles position gives Korea an important advantage in any team tie.
Fans Send An Se Young Off With Cheers
The pressure surrounding another possible double did not appear to affect An during departure.
Fans who recognized her at the airport approached for photographs and signatures, and An repeatedly stopped to accommodate them before boarding the flight to Japan.
Her relaxed interaction with supporters stood out on a morning when hundreds of Korean athletes were completing departure procedures ahead of one of Asia’s biggest sporting events.
The main South Korean contingent includes 792 athletes and 260 officials competing across 41 sports.
South Korea Eyes Strong Overall Asian Games Performance
South Korea is targeting 40 to 45 or more gold medals and hopes to retain third place in the overall medal standings.
Traditional strengths such as archery and taekwondo will be important, but badminton is also expected to contribute significantly, particularly through An and the women’s team.
After arriving in Nagoya, the Korean delegation will complete its athletes’ village procedures before beginning final preparations for competition.
The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially open on September 19 and run through October 4.
An Se Young Begins Another Major Badminton Mission
For An, the focus will quickly shift from airport send-off to competition.
She arrives in Japan as world No. 1, reigning world champion and defending Asian Games champion, giving her both significant expectations and an opportunity to add another chapter to an already remarkable badminton career.
The first target will be helping South Korea defend the women’s team title. After that, attention will turn to the individual event and another potential Asian Games gold medal.
With fans sending her off with calls for another championship, An Se Young heads to Nagoya carrying both Korea’s hopes and the confidence of a player currently performing at the highest level of women’s badminton.
