An Se-young admits training regularly with male players to improve her skills

The year 2025 was a monumental season for the 23-year-old phenom, as she established herself as the undisputed "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) in women’s singles. 

An Se-young captured a staggering 11 titles, including the China Masters, Denmark Open, and the prestigious World Tour Finals. This feat tied the all-time record for most titles in a single season set by Kento Momota in 2019. 

Statistically, she reached a win rate of 94.8% with 73 victories and only 4 losses, surpassing the legendary records of Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei. Furthermore, she became the first badminton player in history to exceed $1 million in prize money within a single season.

Despite these accolades, one specific piece is still missing from her trophy cabinet. An Se-young is currently just one title away from a career Grand Slam, an elite achievement requiring gold medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Asian Games, and the Asian Championships. 

While she secured gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics, she faced a painful setback at the 2025 World Championships in Paris. In the semifinals, she suffered a 0-2 defeat (15-21, 17-21) against her long-time rival, Chen Yufei of China.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the young star is determined to turn that frustration into motivation. Her primary objective is to win the Asian Championships this April to officially complete her Grand Slam collection. 

To realize this dream, An Se-young has adopted a rigorous training regimen, often sparring with male colleagues who possess superior physical strength and faster movement.

"To change my playing style, I often spar against male players. Since male players are faster training partners compared to female players, I do it that way. Right now, I want to improve my attacks even more. My main focus is maintaining my current defensive skills and stamina while growing even a little”, she said. 

Currently, the South Korean ace is focusing on her first major challenge of the new year: the Malaysia Open. As the defending champion, she enters the tournament with high confidence after having defeated China’s Wang Zhiyi 2-0 in last year’s final.