New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) An Se Young returned to the summit of women’s badminton with a statement victory, defeating defending champion Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-14 to claim her second BWF World Championships title in New Delhi on Sunday.
The world No. 1 produced a composed display in a final played at relentless speed, absorbing Yamaguchi’s attacking bursts before taking control at crucial moments. The Japanese star, ranked No. 2, repeatedly threatened to turn the contest around, but An’s consistency and ability to finish points under pressure proved decisive.
The opening game remained finely balanced, with neither player able to establish a significant advantage. Yamaguchi moved 16-15 ahead after An had led 15-12, but the Olympic champion responded immediately. Four consecutive points, combining precise winners with errors from Yamaguchi, handed An the first game.
Yamaguchi again started strongly in the second, moving 4-2 ahead, but An quickly shifted the momentum. She moved in front at 7-6 and then created a four-point cushion at 11-7. Yamaguchi briefly reduced the deficit, but An refused to allow another comeback.
A 16-11 lead put An firmly in command. At 17-13, she produced one of the points of the match, winning a long exchange before finishing with a delicate drop that sent Yamaguchi sprawling. Three more points followed, sealing the championship in straight games.
The triumph completes a remarkable return to the top for An, who won her maiden world title in Copenhagen in 2023 before becoming Olympic champion in Paris the following year. She took bronze at last year’s World Championships in Paris.
An also extended her winning streak against Yamaguchi to six matches, improving her overall record against the Japanese to 20-15.
She completed her six-match campaign in New Delhi without dropping a game, reclaiming the crown she had lost last year.
Yamaguchi, a three-time world champion, had been seeking an unprecedented fourth women’s singles title but was denied by An’s controlled finish.
The victory also keeps An as the only South Korean singles player, male or female, to have won a world title.
–IANS
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