Ahn Se-young Eyes Historic All England Open Three-Peat

Birmingham, England – ‘Shuttlecock Empress’ Ahn Se-young (24, Samsung Life Insurance) is poised to compete for her third All England Open title, a feat achieved by only a select few in the tournament’s 116-year history.

Dominance in a Historic Tournament

Ahn Se-young, currently ranked No. 1 in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) women’s singles ranking, will depart for the 2026 All England Open, held at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England, on March 3rd. This appearance follows her recent success leading Korea to victory at the Asian Team Championships against China on February 8th.

The All England Open, founded in 1899, is considered the most prestigious badminton competition globally, often referred to as the “Wimbledon of badminton.” It boasts the highest ranking points and prize money among BWF-hosted tournaments.

Past Successes and Current Goals

Ahn Se-young first claimed victory in 2023, becoming the first Korean women’s singles player to win the tournament in 27 years. She followed this with a second title in 2024. In 2024, she lost to Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) in the semifinals due to injury.

Only 13 players have won the All England Open Women’s Singles title three or more times. Among Asian players, Yuki Hiroe (Japan), Suzy Susanthi (Indonesia), Ye Zhaoying and Xie Xingfang (China), and Tai Tzu-ying (Taiwan) have achieved this milestone. Ahn Se-young aims to join this exclusive group.

Chasing Records and a Winning Streak

A victory would similarly make Ahn Se-young the first player to win consecutive All England Open titles in eight years, since Tai Tzu-ying in 2018.

Ahn Se-young currently holds an impressive 32-game winning streak (excluding wins by withdrawal) in BWF-hosted tournaments, dating back to the Denmark Open last October. According to badminton statistics site ‘Badminton Ranks’, this is the third-longest winning streak in women’s singles history.

First place is Susanti, who won 59 consecutive wins in 1993-1994, and second place is Xie Xingfang, who recorded 34 consecutive wins in 2003-2004.

Reaching the semifinals at the All England Open would allow her to surpass Xie Xingfang and establish a new record for the longest winning streak in the 21st century.

The Road to the Final

As the No. 1 seed, Ahn Se-young’s path to the final is expected to be challenging. Her most anticipated opponent is Chen Yu-fei, potentially meeting in the semifinals.

While Chen Yu-fei previously held a significant advantage in their head-to-head record, Ahn Se-young has dramatically turned the tables, leading 13-6 since 2023.

Ahn Se-young also boasts a 10-game winning streak against Wang Zhiyi, the second seed.

FAQ

What is the significance of the All England Open?

The All England Open is the oldest and most prestigious badminton competition in the world, often called the “Wimbledon of badminton.”

What records is Ahn Se-young aiming for?

Ahn Se-young is aiming for her third All England Open title, a consecutive title win, and to extend her winning streak to become the longest in the 21st century.

Who is Ahn Se-young’s biggest rival?

Chen Yu-fei is considered her biggest rival, with a potentially challenging semifinal matchup.

Ahn Se-young appears to be the frontrunner for the 2026 All England Open title, demonstrating both exceptional skill and a remarkable competitive edge.