History was made on the badminton court, and it’s a moment that will forever change the sport’s record books. An Se Young, the Korean sensation, has joined the legendary Kento Momota in an elite club, becoming the first women’s singles player to clinch 11 titles in a single season. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: her compatriots, Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, mirrored this feat shortly after, securing their 11th title of 2025, with Seo individually claiming his 12th—a testament to their dominance on the court. And this is the part most people miss: Seo’s additional title came from his partnership with Yong Jin, showcasing his versatility and skill across different pairings.
The HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025 became a night to remember for Korea, as they swept three titles. Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee added to the glory by clinching the women’s doubles crown, solidifying Korea’s stronghold on the tournament. Yet, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for An Se Young. Two years ago, at this very event, she was on the cusp of making history before a heartbreaking semifinal collapse against Tai Tzu Ying. Leading 19-10 in the third game, an uncharacteristic meltdown dashed her dreams. But redemption is sweet, and this time, An left no room for error.
Her final against Wang Zhi Yi was a grueling battle of endurance and skill. Wang pushed An to her limits in the first two games, but the defending champion’s resilience shone through. Despite battling cramps in her leg, An sealed the victory with a dramatic net kill, though not without a moment of tension when the shot was initially faulted. Her win not only secured the record-tying title but also made her the first player in history to earn over a million US dollars in prize money in a single season. With a staggering 73-4 win-loss record and a 94.80% win rate, An’s dominance is undeniable.
“It was a grueling match,” An reflected. “My leg was in pain with every step, but I pushed through to the end. I’m overjoyed with the result—it’s beyond words. My hard work has paid off, and I’m hungry for more records.” But here’s the controversial part: Can An Se Young sustain this level of dominance, or will the pressure of expectations eventually take its toll? Only time will tell.
In contrast, the men’s doubles final was a display of Korean supremacy. Kim and Seo dominated Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, pulling away decisively after a competitive first half of the opening game. The second game was a rout, with the Koreans sealing a comfortable 21-18, 21-14 victory. “This is a moment we’ll cherish forever,” Seo remarked. “We’ll keep pushing to improve in 2026. Since pairing up at the Malaysian Open, we’ve discovered so much about ourselves and our potential.”
But let’s spark some debate: Are Kim and Seo the most dominant men’s doubles pair of their era, or is it too early to crown them? And how does An Se Young’s achievement stack up against Momota’s—is she the greater trailblazer? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going!
