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.
“Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships will take place in Delhi,” Antonsen, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, added.
He added that the Badminton World Federation had “once again” fined him $5,000 as a result of his withdrawal from the tournament.
In another Instagram story, Antonsen posted a screenshot of air quality monitor IQAir, which showed Delhi’s AQI at 348, falling in the “hazardous” category, at 3:30am local time.
Delhi and its neighbouring districts are prone to a thick smog every winter as cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from agricultural fires, leaving many of its residents struggling with respiratory illnesses.
In the past, authorities have closed schools, halted construction work and placed restrictions on private vehicles to tackle the problem.
Following Antonsen’s decision, the number of shuttlers who have withdrawn from the ongoing India Open, which carries a prize pot of $950,000, has increased to four. Antonsen is joined by compatriot and 2025 champion Viktor Axelsen, Li Shi Feng of China, and Arnaud Merkle of France.
