Danish badminton player and world number three Anders Antonsen has announced his withdrawal from the Indian Open due to “extreme pollution” in New Delhi.
“Many are (sic) curious why I withdrew from the Indian Open for the third year in a row,” the 28-year-old said on his Instagram Stories early Wednesday morning.
“Due to the extreme pollution currently prevailing in Delhi, I don’t think it is a place to host a badminton tournament.
“Fingers crossed it will be better this summer when the World Championships take place in Delhi,” added Antonsen, the sixth seed in the tournament.
He added that the Badminton World Federation had “once again” fined him $5,000 following his withdrawal from the tournament.
In another Instagram Story, Antonsen posted a screenshot of the IQAir air quality monitor, which showed Delhi’s AQI at 348, falling into the “hazardous” category, at 3:30 a.m. local time.
Delhi and its neighboring districts are prone to thick smog every winter as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from agricultural fires, leaving many of its residents battling respiratory illnesses.
In the past, authorities have closed schools, halted construction work and imposed restrictions on private vehicles to address the problem.
Following Antonsen’s decision, the number of shuttlers who have withdrawn from the ongoing Indian Open, which carries a prize pool of $950,000, has increased to four. Antonsen is joined by his compatriot and 2025 champion Viktor Axelsen, the Chinese Li Shi Feng and the French Arnaud Merkle.
