In an unprecedented feat for the sport, South Korean badminton sensation An Seyoung has shattered a monumental financial barrier. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, by winning the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, she became the first badminton player in history to accumulate over USD 1 million in prize money in a single calendar year.
A Record-Breaking Victory and a Million-Dollar Milestone
The final showdown against China's Wang Zhi Yi was more than just another title match for An Seyoung. Her hard-fought victory, with scores of 21-13, 18-21, 21-10 in a marathon 96-minute contest, secured the BWF World Tour Finals crown and its accompanying prize of USD 240,000. This crucial win pushed her total earnings for 2025 to a staggering USD 1,003,175, etching her name permanently in the annals of badminton history.
This landmark achievement underscores not just her skill but her remarkable consistency. The World Tour Finals title was her 11th trophy of the 2025 season, equalling the record for most singles titles in a calendar year set by Japanese men's star Kento Momota.
Dominance Defined: Staggering Win Percentage
An Seyoung's financial milestone is built on a foundation of sheer dominance on the court. Her win in the final was her 74th victory in just 77 matches this season. This gives her an incredible win rate of 94.80% for the year.
According to Badminton World Federation (BWF) statistics from the Superseries/World Tour era, this is the best win percentage ever recorded for any player who has played a minimum of 60 matches in a season. She now stands above legends like Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, and Kento Momota in this elite metric.
A Golden Day for Korean Badminton
Sunday was a historic day for South Korean badminton beyond An Seyoung's individual glory. The men's doubles pair of Kim Wonho and Seo Seungjae also scripted history by becoming the first duo to win 11 titles in a calendar year. They capped their remarkable season with a straight-games victory (21-18, 21-14) over China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.
In the women's doubles, Korean stars Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee claimed the title by defeating Japan's Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto 21-17, 21-11.
Other Highlights from the World Tour Finals
The tournament also witnessed breakthrough performances from other corners of the globe. France's Christo Popov created history of his own by becoming the first French player to win the year-ending championships. The 23-year-old defeated world champion and world number one Shi Yuqi of China 21-19, 21-9 to claim the men's singles crown.
In the mixed doubles, the all-Chinese final was won by the second seeds Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, who beat their compatriots Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin 21-12, 21-17.
An Seyoung's journey to the million-dollar mark and her record-equalling 11th title is a testament to a season of unparalleled excellence. It marks a new era in the professionalisation and financial growth of badminton, with a young Korean star firmly at its forefront.
