[Saba Sports News] The 2026 Uber Cup World Women’s Badminton Team Championship is in full swing, with South Korea storming into the semi-finals. Fans watching the live broadcast have noticed that world No.1 An Se-young blinks frequently during matches. Especially at crucial points, she blinks firmly with her brows twitching slightly, looking quite intense.
Some think it is just a trivial habit, but this is not the case. In previous interviews, An Se-young has explained that she does not do it due to eye discomfort; instead, it is a habitual gesture during competition. She tends to blink hard right before serving or the moment her opponent’s return lands. Simple as it looks, the gesture is actually a way of giving herself mental cues. Ever since she started competing internationally as a junior player, An Se-young has always been extremely detail-oriented. Official statistics from her 2022 BWF World Championships title run showed her focus retention time in the decider was nearly 20% above the average level, an effect largely linked to her blinking motion.
At first, the blinking was merely an involuntary movement, before gradually becoming part of her mental self-suggestion. Staring at the shuttlecock for prolonged periods strains the eyes, and a firm blink helps relax eye muscles while instantly refocusing her attention. The South Korean national team coaching staff revealed in an internal sharing session that An Se-young makes over 40 such blinking adjustments per game on average.
In my opinion, An Se-young’s blinking mannerism is likely the combined result of a long-term stress coping mechanism and physical habit, rather than a deliberate tactical ploy or psychological manipulation. Though viewers have mixed impressions of the gesture, it has never hindered her competitive performance and has instead become one of her iconic trademarks.