KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 – Women’s world number one, An Se Young created history as the first-ever South Korean to win a singles event title at the Malaysia Open badminton championship on Sunday since the tournament’s inception in 1937.
The 21-year-old reigning world champion achieved the honour after coming back from a set down to beat four-time champion, Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan 10-21, 21-10, 21-18 in the final at a full-packed Axiata Arena.
Besides getting her redemption for last year’s heartbreaking loss to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the final, Se Young also had her sweet revenge against Tzu Ying for the lost in the semi-finals of last month’s World Tour Finals.
As the champion, Se Young walked away with a medal, trophy and US$91,000 (about RM422,877) as prize money, while Tzu Ying received US$44,200 (about RM205,397) on top of a medal and trophy.
Speaking to reporters after the victory, Se Young, who was delighted with the historic win for South Korea, said she will continue to focus on her recovery from her knee injury suffered in October to be fully for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“It is a good start for the year towards the Olympic Games. The injury is still bothering me since only 70 percent recovered, so I will focus to get back fully fit, and will decide on the next tournaments after discussing with coaches.
“I am very grateful and thankful to be considered as favourite to win the Olympics, but in such a big tournament very difficult to put expectations. Just want to focus on myself first,” said the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Female Player of the Year who clinched an impressive 11 titles in 2023.
South Korean shuttlers had won Malaysia Open titles in the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles event, but the men’s and women’s singles title remained elusive until Se Young managed to break the duck.
