An Se-young confirms China Masters participation in Shenzhen after World Championship triumph
An Se-young confirmed on August 26, 2026 at Incheon International Airport that she will play the China Masters in Shenzhen, China, a Super 750 tournament scheduled to take place from September 1 to 6. The announcement came days after she returned from New Delhi with a second World Championships title.
An arrived back in Korea without dropping a game at the World Championships, beating Han We in the quarter-finals, Wang Zhiyi in the semi-finals and Akane Yamaguchi in the final. That victory restored her to the top of the world rankings for the first time since 2023. Speaking to reporters, she outlined a simple plan: “The China Masters are next week. I plan to prepare well. If my body feels strained, I’ll adjust, but if not, I’ll participate to maintain my match sense. After that, I’ll enter the athletes’ village and prepare for the Asian Games,” she said.
On her ambitions at the Asian Games, An said: “I would love to win another Asian Games gold medal, but everyone else will want to win it, too. The most important thing is not to feel too much pressure. I know it will take a lot of hard work to get it done, and I will try to play with confidence.”
The article notes the Asian Games will be held in Japan, which the report described as Akane Yamaguchi’s home turf, and records that An has beaten Yamaguchi six times in a row. Commenting on that head-to-head run, An said: “I think it is a great sign that I have kept on beating her. If I approach the Asian Games with confidence, like I have nothing to lose, then I think my opponent will tense up. I want to keep doing what I have been doing all along.”
Asked about the packed schedule ahead, An addressed workload and team management: “The number of matches may increase, but I trust our coaches and directors to adjust team event participation. I’ve always done this before and have experience competing in tournaments for two weeks, so I’m not too worried. Still, I should focus more on mental management.”
Separately, the report also states the BWF Super 750 event will take place at the Shenzhen Arena in Shenzhen from September 16 to 21, providing an additional venue and date reference for the tournament in the article.
An’s immediate plan is to compete at the China Masters next week and then move into the athletes’ village to prepare for the Asian Games, a sequence she confirmed to reporters after landing in Korea.