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If you thought badminton was all about lightning-fast smashes and endless rallies, hold on tight. South Korea’s An Se Young just rewrote the sport’s history books by becoming the first player ever to earn over $1 million in prize money in a single year. She sealed the deal with a gritty win at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, proving that dominance isn’t just for the men’s game.
An Se Young Wins BWF Finals 2025
The atmosphere in Hangzhou was electric as An lifted her 11th title of 2025. Facing defending champion Wang Zhi Yi, she fought through a marathon 96-minute battle, clinching it 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 despite leg cramps. That victory pocketed her $240,000, pushing her season total to a staggering $1,003,175. An’s stats are pure fire: 74 wins in 77 matches for a 94.80% win rate, the highest ever for anyone playing 60+ games in the Superseries/World Tour era, topping legends like Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei.
From the opening game, An Se Young showcased her trademark speed and smarts. Wang targeted her forehand with long rallies to wear her down, but An fired back with sharp placements, steady defence, and killer smashes. Even when Wang levelled the score by catching her out of position, An dug deep in the decider. Her backcourt defence covered every inch, turning pressure into points and securing her second BWF Finals 2025 crown. Talk about resilience, this is why she’s equaling Kento Momota‘s record for most singles titles in a calendar year.
An Se Young’s milestone isn’t just about the money; it’s a statement. In a sport where every point feels like a war, she’s blending power, strategy, and endurance like no one before. Badminton fans, this is the new benchmark. With records tumbling left and right, expect more fireworks as the season wraps up. Who’s ready for what’s next?
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