Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: An Se Young has already built one of the most impressive records in modern women’s badminton, but the South Korean world No. 1 is looking even further ahead after successfully defending her Asian Games women’s singles title.
The 24-year-old defeated Japan’s world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-9 in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games final, becoming the first women’s singles player in Asian Games history to successfully defend the title.
After adding another major championship to her collection, An revealed that one of the careers inspiring her next targets belongs to Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan.
An Se Young Beats Akane Yamaguchi for Asian Games Gold
An controlled the gold-medal match against Yamaguchi, taking the opening game 21-17 before pulling away decisively in the second, 21-9.
The victory extended An’s winning streak against the Japanese star to nine matches and gave her a second consecutive Asian Games women’s singles crown after her triumph at Hangzhou 2023.
- Champion: An Se Young of South Korea
- Runner-up: Akane Yamaguchi of Japan
- Score: 21-17, 21-9
- Event: 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women’s singles final
It was also An’s eighth title of the 2026 season.
An Se Young Extends Remarkable Winning Run
An entered the Asian Games final with a 56-1 record from 57 completed matches this season, a winning percentage of approximately 98.2 percent.
Her only defeat came against China’s Wang Zhi Yi in the All England final. After later withdrawing from the Japan Open because of injury, An returned to competition and built another long unbeaten run.
Following her victory over Yamaguchi, that winning streak had reached 40 matches, excluding withdrawals.
The consistency has been especially striking because An had already produced an outstanding season the previous year, when her singles winning percentage was reported at 94.8 percent.
Lin Dan’s Major Championship Record Becomes Inspiration
An’s latest comments suggest that her ambitions now extend beyond individual tournament victories.
Lin Dan remains one of the benchmarks for sustained success in international badminton. The Chinese men’s singles legend won Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, five World Championships titles, and consecutive Asian Games singles gold medals at Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014.
His ability to win the sport’s biggest titles repeatedly over many years established a standard that few players have approached.
An said she is motivated by that kind of longevity and championship record.
“I am challenging all of these records. Lin Dan created a lot of history, and I also want to follow what he achieved,” An said.
“I am trying to follow in the footsteps of such an outstanding player. There are many great athletes who have achieved incredible things, and they motivate me to keep producing results.”
An Se Young Already Has Two World Titles and Two Asian Games Golds
An’s own major-championship résumé is growing quickly.
She captured her second World Championships women’s singles title in New Delhi earlier this year and has now won the Asian Games singles crown twice.
She is also an Olympic champion, leaving the possibility of winning another Olympic gold as one of the major milestones that could further strengthen comparisons with badminton’s most decorated players.
At only 24, An potentially has several championship cycles ahead of her if she can maintain her health and current level.
An Se Young: Every Championship Still Feels Different
Despite the growing list of titles, An said the feeling of winning has not become routine.
“I am very happy that I can keep winning championships. I think it comes from my concentration. I would not call myself unbeatable, but I never give up and I always give everything I have.”
Rather than setting a stopping point, she said her immediate target is simply the next tournament.
“The next goal is to win the next event. Even though I have already won many titles, I still want to keep winning. Every championship gives me a new feeling, and I think that feeling drives my desire to win.”
Family Watches An Se Young Make Asian Games History
The Aichi-Nagoya victory carried additional meaning because members of An’s family were in attendance to watch her defend the title.
“I had so many emotions. Winning in front of my family was an amazing experience,” she said.
An Se Young Looks Beyond Records to Sustained Dominance
An Se Young’s latest Asian Games title adds another milestone to a career that already includes Olympic gold, two World Championships titles and consecutive Asian Games singles championships.
Her next challenge is less about one specific tournament and more about longevity: remaining at the top long enough to build the kind of sustained championship record associated with players such as Lin Dan.
With eight titles this season, a 40-match winning streak and another Asian Games gold medal secured, An has made clear that her ambitions are still growing.
