An Se Young on March 16 shouts for joy after winning the women’s singles title at the Badminton World Federation’s All England Open Championships at Birmingham Utilita Arena in Birmingham, the U.K.
By Margareth Theresia
Photos = Yonhap News
Badminton superstar An Se Young has set another milestone in Korean badminton by winning the women’s singles title at the All England Open Championships.
At Birmingham Utilita Arena in Birmingham, the U.K., the women’s world No. 1 on March 16 beat Wang Zhiyi of China, 2-1 (13-21, 21-18, 21-18), to reclaim the tournament crown after two years.
The previous day, An had complained of thigh pain in the semifinals and felt it again in the finals, but never gave up despite losing the first set to Wang. She began to show her power from the second set and eventually won the 95-minute neck-and-neck contest.
The phenom thus became the first Korean to win two singles titles at the All England Open. Since winning the gold medal at the Paris Summer Olympics in August last year, she has stood at the top of the winners’ podium in four straight international tournaments: the Malaysia Open, India Open, Orleans Masters and All England.
Kim Won Ho (left) and Seo Seung Je on March 16 pose for photos after winning the men’s doubles title of the All England Open Championships at Birmingham Utilita Arena in Birmingham, the U.K.
Following An’s victory, Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Je won the men’s doubles title of the tournament by beating in the final Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana of Indonesia in straight sets (21-19, 21-19).
Kim and Seo are the nation’s first men’s team to wear the gold in the competition in 13 years since Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae-sung.
margareth@korea.kr
