Ahn Se-young breaks the 46-year World Championship drought in Korean badminton and makes history in the sport

Ahn Se-young (21-Samsung Life) has become the first Korean badminton player to win a World Individual Championship title.

Ahn, the world No. 1 in women’s singles, defeated world No. 6 Carolina Marin (30-Spain) 2-0 (21-12, 21-10) in the final at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday (July 27).

Ahn, who was stopped by her nemesis Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) in the quarterfinals the year before and in the quarterfinals last year, reached the highest level this year.

The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic gold medalist rejuvenated at the event, defeating Tai Tzu-ying (TAI – World No. 4) and Yamaguchi (World No. 2) in straight sets, but was unable to overcome Ahn.

Ahn is the first South Korean player, male or female, to win the singles event at the World Championships.

During the 28th edition of the event, which began in 1977, South Korean singles players have finished runner-up twice and third nine times.

Women’s singles player Hwang Soo-hyun reached the final for the first time in 1993 and won a silver medal, while Park Sung-woo was the men’s singles runner-up in 1995.

More than three decades later, Ahn ended South Korea’s 46-year drought in the singles.

The win was Ahn’s eighth gold medal of the year.

Ahn had seven wins, three runner-up finishes, and one third-place finish so far this year, and has been ranked No. 1 since last month.

The tournament, known as the Thomas Cup, was held every three years from 1977-1983, every two years from 1985-2003, 먹튀검증 and every year since 2005 except in Olympic years.