Gold Medalist An Se Young Criticizes Badminton South Korea Association After Olympic Victory

Korean badminton star and Olympic gold medalist An Se Young made waves with her sharp criticism of the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) after her victory in the women's singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. During a press meeting on August 5, 2024, An expressed her frustration over the lack of professional care provided by the BKA, hinting at a potential departure from the national team.

Reflecting on her journey, An recounted the hardships she faced due to injuries sustained during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022. Despite being assured of a quick recovery, An endured prolonged pain and inadequate medical support, forcing her to seek further treatment on her own while continuing her rigorous training for the Olympics.

“I’m so incredibly happy. It’s indescribable in words. I feel like I can finally breathe now. As for the most memorable moment, I can’t stop thinking about when I couldn’t pull myself together after the Asian Games due to an injury,” An shared. She praised her coaches for their relentless support but criticized the BKA for their complacency, admitting that there were moments when she questioned her future with the national team.

An’s criticism of the BKA continued at the official press conference, where she challenged the fairness of restricting Olympic participation for players who leave the national team. She argued that the BKA’s mismanagement hindered South Korea’s potential in badminton, as evidenced by the country winning only one gold medal.

Head coach Kim Hak Kyun acknowledged An’s frustrations, clarifying that her disappointment was directed more at the BKA than the national team. He stressed that there were no personal issues between him and An, highlighting their celebration together after her victory as evidence of their strong relationship.

In response, a BKA spokesperson stated, “It’s difficult to make an official statement from the association’s side. We have reported the situation to the president of the association. But there is no doubt that the association tried its best.”