An Se-young makes history with 11th title of season at Korea Open

An Se Young of South Korea celebrates after winning the women's singles final against Yamaguchi Akane of Japan at the Korea Open 2026 badminton tournament in Yeosu, South Korea, Nov. 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

YEOSU, South Korea, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea became the first badminton player to win at least 11 titles in two consecutive seasons after claiming the women's singles crown at the Korea Open on Sunday, while China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin won the mixed doubles title.

An defeated Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-12, 15-21, 21-16 in the final.

Reflecting on her progress over the past year, An said she was proud of her ability to maintain a consistently high level of performance. She added that she had grown mentally stronger and learned how to regain momentum when physically fatigued.

In an all-Chinese mixed doubles final, Jiang and Wei defeated Gao Jiaxuan and Wu Mengying 21-16, 21-13.

The victory added to Jiang and Wei's recent success following their triumph at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in late September and titles at the Arctic Open and Denmark Open in October.

Jiang said competing against familiar teammates made it easier to identify weaknesses and improve together, adding that he and Wei had become better at managing their emotions during matches.

Also on Sunday, Canada's Victor Lai claimed the men's singles title, Japan's Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara triumphed in the women's doubles, and South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae won the men's doubles crown.

An Se Young (R) of South Korea hits a return during the women's singles final against Yamaguchi Akane of Japan at the Korea Open 2026 badminton tournament in Yeosu, South Korea, Nov. 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)