An Se Young Makes History with Second Asian Games Singles Title

Paris Olympics champion An Se Young has become the first woman shuttler to win two Asian Games singles titles after defeating Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-7, 21-9 in Nagoya. The South Korean star secured the title with a dominant performance against the home favorite.

The victory allowed An to successfully defend the women’s singles title she won at the Hangzhou Asian Games. She had earlier added a bronze medal in the women’s team event during the tournament.

The reigning Olympic and world champion has maintained an unbeaten run since March, continuing her strong form with another commanding display in Nagoya. Her latest victory further adds to her impressive record in 2026.

Key Highlights:

• An Se becomes the first woman to win two Asian Games singles titles
• She defeated Akane 21-7, 21-9 in the final
• An claims her eighth title of 2026 after defending her Asian Games crown

The 24-year-old has now claimed her eighth title of the year. She finished runner-up at the All England Open among the tournaments she did not win, while an injury forced her to withdraw from the Japan Open.

Last month she claimed her second world medal in New Delhi. An got a nice wind, but struggled at the start but rallied to take control of the opener in the arena, with pockets of Korean fans roaring their support.

An sent out a smashdown in front of Akane before finishing off the opening game with a backhand at the net. An continued her indefatigable attack in the second game, and was well on her way to a huge lead in pursuit of another title.

It came when Akane served it a return long-and An knelt to her knees and let out a primal scream in celebration. She already defeated Akane this week in the women's team event.

The world No. 1 has demonstrated her fiery side in the Asian Games, where she apologized after going from a frustrated state in a previous game. An was also quite critical of her watching father saying: "I'm running myself to my grave out there and you're just sitting there watching me in comfort.

Lin Dan, the Olympic gold medalist for China in the two previous editions in 2010 and 2014, is the only Asian Games winner among the male shuttlers who will be participating in the Badakhkanian. Lee So Hee and Baek Ha Na of South Korea won gold in the women's doubles, taking an epic downfall of 26-28, 21-18, 21-18 in the women's doubles event. It was a close game in the fifth game, with a status quo at 18-18 until Liu was injured on the ankle.