For the third straight year, the Badminton World Federation on Dec. 15 named world No. 1 An Se Young its Women's Singles Player of the Year. (Federation's official Instagram account)

By Lee Dasom

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the third straight year has named An Se Young its Women's Single Player of the Year.

Ranked the world's top women's player in the sport, she received the honor on Dec. 15 at the BWF's year-end gala dinner in Hangzhou, China, beating out Wang Zhiyu (second) and Chen Yufei (fifth) of China and Akane Yamaguchi (third) of Japan.

An was also named the top player by her fellow competitors for the second straight year.

The world's top-ranked woman in the sport has won the singles title in 10 of her 14 global tournaments this season, a record for women.

"I feel honored to be presented with these awards. They are encouragement for me to make more efforts," An told BWF. "Winning titles proves my efforts; however, the Players' Player of the Year Award is recognition from other players and it embodies the love and appreciation of my competitors, so it's a very special one."

In addition, Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho were named the best men's doubles team of the year. They will seek their 11th win of the season at the BWF World Tour Finals from Dec. 17-21 in Hangzhou.

dlektha0319@korea.kr