An Se Young emerged the star of the new-look BWF Player of the Year Awards 2024, becoming the only shuttler to walk away with two trophies from the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2024 Gala Dinner on Monday 9 December

The winners, assessed over an eligibility period of 12 months (1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024), were announced during the glitzy event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hangzhou.

 Conqueror of five titles this season, including the Paris 2024 Olympic gold, An scooped the Women’s Singles Player of the Year Award ahead of Chinese pair Wang Zhi Yi and Han Yue and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. The 22-year-old Korean was also voted by her peers as the first Players’ Player of the Year (Women).

As a nation, China dominated the evening, topping six categories, including two of the three Para badminton awards.

Shi Yu Qi, who in June replaced Viktor Axelsen as world No.1 after the Dane reigned for 132 weeks, bagged his first year-end gong. With four titles (India, French, Singapore and Indonesia Opens), 2024 turned out to be the most successful year of Shi’s career.

Meanwhile, Alex Lanier became the first European player in 14 years to be recognised as the best up-and-coming talent in badminton, winning the renamed Eddy Choong Rising Star Award to emulate Axelsen’s achievement from 2010.

The French youngster’s breakthrough season saw him triumph at the Super 750 DAIHATSU Japan Open in August after finishing runner-up at the YONEX Canada Open a month earlier.

WINNERS
Men’s Singles Player of the Year: 
Shi Yu Qi (China)
Women’s Singles Player of the Year: 
An Se Young (Korea)
Men’s Doubles Player of the Year: 
Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang (China)
Women’s Doubles Player of the Year: 
Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning (China)
Mixed Doubles Player of the Year: 
Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping (China)
Men’s Para Badminton Player of the Year: 
Qu Zi Mo (China)
Women’s Para Badminton Player of the Year: 
Liu Yu Tong (China) & Li Feng Mei (China)
Para Badminton Pair of the Year: 
Hikmat Ramdani/Leani Ratri Oktila (Indonesia)
Eddy Choong Rising Star of the Year: 
Alex Lanier (France)
Players’ Player of the Year (Men): 
Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
Players’ Player of the Year (Women): 
An Se Young (Korea)

Information from BWF

Legends Honoured

Badminton icons Lee Yong Dae and Chen Long were officially inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame at the same ceremony.

 Lee and Chen, both Olympic gold medallists, were thrilled by the laurel bestowed upon them.

 “Today is special and meaningful for me. It's a great honour to be placed among the legends of badminton. This is a reward for all my hard work during my playing days. I've been waiting for this moment,” said Lee, winner of a record-breaking 46 Superseries/World Tour titles.

Chen, who retired in 2023, said: “I didn't expect it this soon. It's an honour, I'm delighted to receive this recognition from BWF. It affirms my career and serves as motivation for me to continue promoting the sport of badminton."

Both legends promised to use their status as BWF Hall of Famers to help grow badminton globally.

The Hall of Fame was started in 1997 and honours players and administrators who have enhanced the sport through exceptional achievements.

Information from BWF