An Se-young Focuses on Enjoyment as She Defends Asian Games Badminton Titles
JINCHEON, South Korea — South Korean badminton superstar An Se-young enters the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as one of the tournament's biggest favorites—but the world No. 1 says she is determined not to let the pressure of defending her title take away from the experience.
An will attempt to defend two Asian Games gold medals in Japan this month after helping South Korea win the women's team title and then taking the women's singles crown at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Yet rather than obsessing over another gold-medal sweep, the 24-year-old says she wants to enjoy the competition and focus on performing well one match at a time.
“I will try not to put any extra pressure on myself and will try to just play my game and enjoy the experience as much as I can.”
Her approach marks a major change from three years ago.
An Se-young arrives in Japan with unstoppable momentum
An could hardly have timed her preparation better.
The reigning world No. 1 has won two consecutive international tournaments heading into the Asian Games.
In August, she captured her second career world championship title in New Delhi, defeating Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in straight games. She then followed that performance by winning the China Masters in Shenzhen on September 6, defeating Japan's Tomoka Miyazaki 21-17, 21-6.
The China Masters victory was her third consecutive title at the tournament and her seventh title of 2026. She also extended her current winning streak to 33 matches.
That form has placed An firmly among the leading favorites for Asian Games gold.
But An says this Asian Games will feel different
Despite the enormous expectations surrounding her, An says she is approaching the tournament differently from Hangzhou.
She admitted that when she won her two gold medals three years ago, she lacked confidence in her own game and was unable to fully enjoy the experience.
Now, with considerably more international experience behind her, she says she feels more relaxed on court and better understands how to manage the pressure.
That change in mindset could be just as important as her technical ability.
An has spent the past several years establishing herself as one of the world's leading badminton players. She is currently on a remarkable run at the top of the rankings and has held the world No. 1 position for 100 consecutive weeks.
A historic opportunity awaits
If An successfully defends her women's singles title, she would achieve something no South Korean singles player—male or female—has done before: win back-to-back Asian Games singles gold medals.
Rather than dwelling on that potential record, however, An says her greater motivation is giving fans something to enjoy.
She emphasized that entertaining supporters and playing her best badminton are more important to her than thinking about records before the tournament begins.
That mindset could help her deal with the enormous expectations that come with being the world No. 1.
Asia's strongest players stand between An and gold
The road to another Asian Games title will not be easy.
Women's singles at the Asian Games is traditionally one of the strongest fields in international badminton, with elite players from China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian badminton powers.
An has already faced many of these opponents repeatedly this season.
At the recent World Championships, four of the six opponents she defeated on her way to the title were Asian players. At the China Masters, all eight seeded players were from Asia, and An defeated an Asian opponent in each of her five matches.
That familiarity means the Asian Games could come down to small tactical adjustments and the ability to remain composed during crucial moments.
An is not taking anyone lightly
Despite her extraordinary winning streak, An knows the Asian Games field can punish complacency.
Her recent China Masters final offered a reminder.
Miyazaki pushed her early in the match, but An remained composed and eventually pulled away to win in straight games. The victory extended her China Masters winning streak while giving her another major title immediately before the Asian Games.
Her message is simple: every opponent deserves attention.
That is particularly important in a tournament where the pressure of representing South Korea can add another layer to every match.
From injury setback to Asian Games favorite
An's current run is even more impressive considering she recently returned from a left foot injury.
She withdrew from the Japan Open in July after just one match, creating questions about whether she would be able to return to full fitness before the Asian Games.
Instead, she responded with a world title in August and another China Masters championship in September.
The back-to-back victories have effectively erased concerns about her form heading into the biggest continental competition of the year.
South Korea is counting on its badminton queen
An's individual campaign is only part of South Korea's hopes.
The badminton competition begins with the women's team event on September 20, where South Korea will attempt to defend its Hangzhou gold medal.
The women's singles competition begins on September 25, with the final scheduled for September 29.
For An, that means another demanding tournament schedule—but one she says she is ready to embrace.
The gold medal is the goal—but not the obsession
An Se-young has already achieved virtually everything a badminton player could dream of.
She is an Olympic champion, a two-time world champion, an Asian champion and an Asian Games champion. In 2026 alone, she has continued to add major titles to her résumé.
Now she has a chance to make more history in Japan.
But rather than allowing that possibility to overwhelm her, An is choosing a different approach.
Play the match. Enjoy the moment. Give the fans something to remember.
If the gold medal follows, so much the better.
And with the world's No. 1 player arriving in Aichi-Nagoya after two straight major victories, the rest of the women's singles field will have a very difficult challenge waiting for them.