World No.1 An Se Young secured her first title since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a clinical 21-12 21-8 victory over Gao Fang Jie in the final of the LI-NING China Masters 2024.

“I’m so happy beyond words to win this title. I was determined to succeed,” she told media afterwards. “I just had to try and implement my game plan.”

It’s been a turbulent ride for the 22-year-old with great speculation over her playing future ever since her controversial remarks at the Paris 2024 gold medal press conference.

Visible tension on court between her and her coaches at the Denmark Open in October did little to quash the public rumours.

But this week in Shenzhen she’s very much let the badminton do the talking.

And having gone quietly about her business through the preliminary rounds, today she showcased in full force that the An Se Young we know and love is back.

Asked whether the ‘post-Games saga’ had changed her outlook on badminton, the Olympic champ said: “I’ve really discovered the objective of an athlete and the things an athlete needs to do.

“I’ve had to bounce back, pick myself up and put a lot of thought into what is required of me.

“Now that I’ve achieved this good result, I’m also thinking about what else I need to do to fulfil my responsibility as an athlete.”

Her attention now turns to the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2024, in which she qualifies as Olympic champion.

It’s one last mountain to climb in what has been a roller-coaster year.

“I will give my best in Hangzhou. I’m looking forward to it and will definitely do my best to prepare well.”

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