The withdrawal of Denmark’s world No. 3 badminton singles player, Anders Antonsen, was a huge topic of conversation at the prestigious BWF World Tour Super 750 badminton tournament in New Delhi, India, in January 2026. Unlike some may believe, he withdrew from the event because of injury or a personal problem rather than due to the extreme level of air pollution in New Delhi.
His public comments raised questions surrounding athlete safety and tournament conditions, as well as the environmental problems associated with many regional areas of international sporting events. Read the rest of the article to know more about the reasons behind his withdrawal.
Who is Anders Antonsen?
Anders Antonsen is a Denmark’s Professional Badminton Player. He is considered one of the best badminton players in the world. Anders has consistently been in the top echelon of players worldwide, with the highest ranking of number 2 in the world and consistently making semi-final or final appearances in major tournaments, including Super 750 or Super 1000.
As a top-ranked player, he will compete in the BWF World Tour tournaments such as the India Opens because participation in these international tournaments will contribute not only to his world ranking but also toward qualifying him for the year-end finals.
The India Open 2026
The 2026 India Open was held atndira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi, from 13th to 18th January 2026. It is one of the events in the BWF World Tour Super 750 and attracts the best players worldwide, with a total prize purse of USD $950,000.
Although the India Open is a major stop on the badminton tournament schedule, the tournament has come under scrutiny regarding its environmental footprint and the venue. Players expressed their concerns regarding poor air quality and bad playing conditions during the first days of the tournament.
Antonsen’s Withdrawal from India
Anders Antonsen withdrew from the India Open because of the hazardous air pollution in New Delhi. He felt the air quality at that time was unsafe for elite athletes and stated this as his main reason for withdrawal.
In his Instagram story, Antonsen noted:
“I don’t believe that it is appropriate to hold a badminton tournament in New Delhi due to the extreme pollution.” He was hopeful that the AQI (Air Quality Index) would decrease and improve sufficiently to allow for safe conditions for the BWF World Championships in New Delhi at the end of the year.
As proof, he posted a screenshot of the AQI, showing that the pollution levels were in the ‘hazardous’ zone.
Player Health Prioritised Over Competition
Antonsen’s announcement was a clear indication that his primary concern about competing was his own health, as he felt that hazardous air would negatively affect his performance in a high-intensity aerobic sport like badminton.
This was also the third consecutive time that Antonsen did not compete at the India Open for the same reasons, which demonstrated that his decision was based on his overall concern for his health and well-being, rather than merely being a one-time protest.
Consequences for Badminton
Antonsen’s exit due to pollution instead of injury emphasises the increasing importance of environmental matters in the realm of global sports. With the intensification of climate change and air quality issues, athletes and federations might have to consider:
- Seasonal planning to avoid high pollution levels;
- Assessments of venues to guarantee athlete safety;
- Expanded conversations between host cities and international sports entities about environmental readiness ahead of significant tournaments.
