New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
World No. 1 An Se Young reclaimed the women’s singles crown at the BWF World Championships with a commanding 21-17, 21-14 victory over defending champion Akane Yamaguchi in the final in New Delhi on Sunday.
The South Korean produced a composed performance in a high-intensity contest, absorbing Yamaguchi’s attacking play before taking control at crucial stages. The Japanese second seed repeatedly threatened to shift the momentum, but An’s consistency and ability to close out points under pressure proved decisive.
The opening game remained closely contested, with neither player able to establish a significant lead. Yamaguchi moved 16-15 ahead after An had led 15-12, but the Olympic champion responded with four consecutive points to take the game.
Yamaguchi again made the better start in the second game, moving 4-2 ahead, but An quickly regained control. She went ahead 7-6 and built a four-point advantage at 11-7. Although Yamaguchi briefly narrowed the gap, An maintained her composure and moved 16-11 ahead.
At 17-13, An produced a decisive moment, winning a long rally before finishing with a delicate drop shot. She then secured three successive points to seal the title in straight games.
The victory marks a remarkable return to the top for An, who won her maiden world title in Copenhagen in 2023 and became Olympic champion in Paris the following year. She had settled for bronze at last year’s World Championships in Paris.
An also extended her winning streak against Yamaguchi to six matches, taking her overall record against the Japanese star to 20-15.
She completed her six-match campaign in New Delhi without dropping a game, reclaiming the world title she lost last year.
Yamaguchi, a three-time world champion, had been aiming to become the first woman to win four world singles titles but was denied by An’s controlled performance.
An’s triumph also preserves her distinction as the only South Korean singles player, male or female, to have won a BWF World Championships title.
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