Korean badminton star An Se Young secured her 47th international career title at the 2026 Denmark Open in Odense, surpassing the record held by Indonesian legend Susy Susanti, according to reports from Kompas.com and Tirto.id. The world number one achieved the milestone on Sunday, October 18, 2026, by overcoming Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-23, 21-14, 21-18 in a final that featured an ankle scare and a third-game comeback from an 11-5 deficit. With this victory, An eclipsed Susy Susanti’s benchmark of 46 titles.

How An Se Young Overcame Yamaguchi in Odense

The championship match tested the 24-year-old top seed physically and mentally. Tirto.id reported that An briefly limped in the middle of the third game after slipping on the court surface, raising concerns as Yamaguchi built an 11-5 advantage. However, a shift in momentum on the slower side of the court allowed An to claim 11 of the next 12 points, effectively shutting down the comeback bid. “Saya merasa lebih percaya diri karena lapangan lebih lambat. Dan saya lebih bersemangat. Saya berpikir, ‘ini kemenangan saya’,” An said after the match, as cited by Kompas.com, noting that the court conditions helped restore her energy for the decisive push.

The victory also triggered social media scrutiny regarding tournament operations. As detailed by VIVA.co.id, venue organizers in Odense drew criticism online after arena lights were dimmed for upcoming matches while An was still completing her post-match trophy photographs. Viewers and commentators online also questioned court safety protocols after both finalists slipped multiple times during the three-game encounter.

The Science and Tactics Behind the World Number One

An’s dominance in women’s singles rests on an endurance-heavy playing style. According to Tirto.id, the South Korean player relies on extended rallies rather than quick winners. Approximately 60 percent of her scoring sequences begin by forcing opponents deep into the back corners using high clears and lobs. When executing points, An directs 21 percent of her decisive shots straight down the center line of the court to disrupt opponent positioning rather than aiming for high-risk sidelines.

Her physical preparation allows her to sustain this heavy workload across tournaments.

Susy Susanti Weighs In on the Upcoming 3×15 Point Format

While An rewrites the record books, badminton’s governing bodies prepare for a rules adjustment next season, shifting the scoring format from 3×21 to 3×15 points. CNN Indonesia reported that Susy Susanti believes this rule change will not diminish An’s dominance. Instead, the Indonesian great argued that shorter matches will benefit older players by reducing physical wear over long tournament weeks.

“Dengan sistem poin yang sekarang lebih pendek, pertandingan bisa menjadi lebih ringan dari segi durasi. Itu bisa menjadi salah satu faktor yang memungkinkan atlet bertahan lebih lama,” Susy told CNN Indonesia, noting that physical maturity and tactical experience often compensate for raw speed as athletes age. She pointed to veterans like Chou Tien-chen, who continues to compete near the age of 40, as evidence that modern players can extend their careers under shorter scoring formats.

Records That Define Women’s Singles History

With 47 international titles, An sits at the top of the trophy count for women’s singles, moving past Susy Susanti’s 46 titles and Carolina Marin’s 39, as documented by Kompas.com. Susy Susanti retains a milestone that An has yet to match: a streak of 53 match victories in international competition.

What Lies Ahead on the BWF Tour

Following the conclusion of the Denmark Open on October 18, 2026, the international badminton circuit shifts its focus toward upcoming events, with teams preparing for travel logistics and security considerations ahead of the French Open in Paris.