US EditionIndia Open 2026: World No. 3 Antonsen Skips Event in Delhi Due to Extreme Pollution, Hopes for Better Conditions During World Championships
Anders Antonsen cited severe air pollution and asthma concerns for his third consecutive withdrawal from the India Open, resulting in a $5,000 fine from the Badminton World Federation.
- On Wednesday, World No. 3 Anders Antonsen announced he skipped the India Open Super 750 in Delhi due to extreme pollution, posting on Instagram and revealing BWF fined him USD 5,000.
- Citing medical history, Antonsen has applied for a medical exemption citing asthma and withdrew less than a day after Danish player Mia Blichfeldt complained about hygiene at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
- Regulations add that withdrawing players still must perform media/promotional day unless exempted, and Antonsen appealed to the Badminton World Federation but was fined for missing the activity; Shi Yuqi fulfilled his promotional duties on-site.
- With the India Open serving as a test event, organisers point out they moved to the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium partly to prepare for the World Championships in August this year, despite warm-up complaints and hygiene concerns, Badminton Association of India, Sanjay Mishra, said the main arena was clean.
- Antonsen's third straight absence signals pressure ahead of World Championships, with other notable withdrawals including Korean men's doubles pair Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung-jae on Wednesday.
25 Articles
25 Articles
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Danish badminton player withdraws from India Open citing ‘extreme pollution’ in Delhi
Danish badminton player and world number three Anders Antonsen has announced his withdrawal from the India Open due to “extreme pollution” in New Delhi. “Many is [sic] curious as to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year,” the 28-year-old said on his Instagram stories early on Wednesday morning. “Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment, I don‘t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament. “Cross…
Denmark's World No. 2 shuttler Anders Antonsen has revealed his reasons for skipping the India Open 2026 tournament in Delhi for the third consecutive year. He revealed on social media that Delhi's rising pollution is making it impossible for him to play.
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