An Se Young (left) on Dec. 9 takes a photo with Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Poul-Erik Larsen at the federation's awards ceremony in Hangzhou, China. (BWF)

By Lee Dasom

An Se Young is the world's top female badminton player for the second consecutive year, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Receiving the honor on Dec. 9 at the BWF's World Tour Finals Gala Dinner in Hangzhou, China, she was also named the inaugural winner of the Players' Player of the Year, an award voted for by her peers.

An won the gold medal in women's singles at this year's Paris Summer Olympics, becoming the second Korean to earn a singles title in the competition since Bang Soo-hyun in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Taking a two-month break after the Olympics, An returned to competition in October at the Denmark Open, finishing second. Last month, she won the women's singles title at the China Masters in Shenzhen.

"I didn't know that I'd receive so much support from other players, and I'm truly happy," she said at the ceremony. "In particular, I was congratulated by my idol-like senior Lee Yong Dae. My biggest source of motivation is the many people who support me."

dlektha0319@korea.kr