Paris Olympics: South Korea’s An ready to open champagne, inspire next generation after gold
- An Se-young’s triumph in the women’s badminton singles South Korea’s first gold in the event since Bang Soo-hyun in Atlanta in 1996
South Korea’s An Se-young won Olympic gold in the badminton women’s singles on Monday, and said she was looking forward to popping open the champagne.
The world No 1 dispatched China’s He Bingjiao in straight games at the La Chapelle Arena, becoming the first South Korean to hold the title since Bang Soo-hyun last won it in Atlanta in 1996.
An never looked troubled against He, needing only 51 minutes to take the crown with a comfortable 21-13, 21-16 victory.
“I’m so happy that I was able to get to first place, I think this feeling of being able to achieve my dream is really good,” said An, who also won the World Championships last year.
“I did my best in the final; I think my next goal will be to write as many records as possible, these moments are the most memorable.”
An injured her right patellar tendon before the Games, but she swept all before her on the way to the final, beating the likes of world top 10 players Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and Indonesian Gregoria Mariska Tunjung along the way.
