Hangzhou, China : South Korea’s An Se-young capped off a remarkable season by winning the women’s singles title at the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals, defeating China’s Wang Zhiyi in a hard-fought final to claim her 11th title of the year, the most by any player in a single season.
According to Sportstar, the world No. 1 overcame her Chinese opponent 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 in a gripping final that lasted 96 minutes, showcasing her resilience and tactical control on the sport’s biggest year-end stage.
A test of endurance and composure
The final, played at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, proved to be a demanding physical contest. After taking the opening game comfortably, An was pushed into a decider when Wang levelled the match. Despite showing signs of fatigue and battling cramps late in the encounter, the South Korean regrouped strongly to dominate the third game and close out the match convincingly.
Reuters reported that An’s ability to maintain intensity despite physical discomfort once again underlined her growing reputation as one of the most consistent players on the circuit.
Record-equalling achievement
With this victory, An extended her own record for the most titles won in a single season, reaching 11 tournament wins in 2025. The achievement also sees her equal the all-time calendar-year singles title record, previously set by Japan’s Kento Momota in 2019, as noted by international badminton reports.
Her season included victories across multiple World Tour levels, highlighting her dominance throughout the year rather than at isolated events.
A season to remember
An’s triumph at the World Tour Finals — the season-ending tournament featuring the top eight players — further cements her position as the leading force in women’s singles badminton. According to Sportstar, the title also significantly boosts her season prize earnings, reflecting her consistency at the highest level.
At just 23, An has already assembled a résumé that places her among the elite players of the modern era, with her performances in 2025 widely regarded as one of the most dominant seasons in women’s singles history.
Looking ahead
The Hangzhou triumph provides An Se-young with the perfect platform heading into the 2026 season, as she continues to set new benchmarks for consistency and excellence in international badminton.
For now, however, the World Tour Finals crown stands as the defining moment of a season that belonged unmistakably to An Se-young.
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