Ahn Se-young, the reigning Olympic gold medalist and world No. 1 badminton player, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships. On March 13, 2025, Ahn achieved this remarkable feat by defeating Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour 2-1 during the women's singles round of 16, held at Birmingham, England.
Demonstracing her tenacity, Ahn showcased her skill with scores of 21-12, 16-21, and 21-8. The match was not without its challenges; after taking the first game convincingly, Ahn faced unexpected resistance from Gilmour, who managed to take the second game. Yet, Ahn kept her focus and rebounded dramatically, dominating the third game and securing her spot in the quarterfinals.
This victory marked Ahn's 16th consecutive win this year across four tournaments, reinforcing her dominance on the badminton court. Following her success at the Orelleans Masters, where she defeated Chen Yufei, Ahn is now set to face this tough opponent once again as she aims for her fourth consecutive title of the year.
The All England Open, established back in 1899, remains one of the most venerable tournaments globally, and Ahn has already made history by becoming the first Korean player to win the women's singles title at this event since 1995, two years prior.
Ahn's next match against Chen Yufei, ranked 13th, promises to be another intense encounter. Historically, Ahn has struggled against Yufei, holding just 10 wins against her 13 losses. Chen is also the reigning gold medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, adding more intensity to their rivalry. Nonetheless, Ahn is committed to overcoming her past records to secure yet another victory.
“Winning against Kirsty Gilmour was tough, but I feel ready for the next match!” Ahn said after her match, showcasing her confidence as she prepares to take on Chen.
Fans around the world are eager to see how this exciting competition will unravel, especially as Ahn Se-young continues to build her legacy as one of the finest badminton players of her generation. With continued improvement and fierce determination, Ahn is firmly on the path to creating history, not just for herself but for Korean badminton as well.
Stay tuned for more updates as the All England Open progresses!