‘Extreme pollution, Delhi not the place to host’: Top badminton player pulls out of tournament

Men’s singles player Anders Antonsen has blamed Delhi’s toxic air for his decision to not compete in the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament. The men’s singles world No. 3 made the remarks a day after his compatriot Mia Blichfeldt criticised “unhealthy conditions” for players at the Delhi sporting event.

“Many is (sic) curious to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year. Due to the extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment I don’t thinks it’s a place to host a badminton tournament,” Antonsen wrote in an Instagram story.

Newslaundry had earlier detailed the impact of Delhi’s air quality on sports. Some young athletes are able to chase their dreams, while others must weigh health against ambition.

Antonsen’s comments followed Blichfeldt’s remarks on the playing and training facilities at the IG Indoor Stadium, the venue for the 2026 India Open. The tournament has moved to the larger arena from the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, also located within the same complex, where it was held in previous years. The change is part of India’s preparations for hosting the BWF World Championships in August, with the India Open doubling up as a test event.

The Badminton Association of India had denied Blichfeldt’s allegations about the facilities.

Antonsen said he was hopeful that conditions would improve by the time the World Championships begin, but also criticised the Badminton World Federation for penalising him for missing one of the mandatory tournaments for top-ranked players. “Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the Summer when the World Championships will take place in Delhi. As a result BWF once again has fined me 5000 USD,” he wrote.

He also posted a screenshot of Delhi’s air quality on Instagram, showing an Air Quality Index of 348.

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