Antonsen fined US$5,000 for India Open withdrawal over toxic air

KUALA LUMPUR: Hazardous air pollution in New Delhi has forced world No. 3 Anders Antonsen to withdraw from the India Open for the third consecutive year, prompting a US$5,000 fine from the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Antonsen said the extreme conditions made the city unsuitable to host an elite tournament.

"Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the summer when the World Championships will take place in New Delhi," he said in a social media post.

The 28-year-old Dane's exit is a significant blow to the event, which started on Tuesday at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.

While the BWF penalised Antonsen for his decision, air quality in the region remains a perennial issue, often reaching alarming levels during winter.

Antonsen is not the first player to raise concerns.

Fellow Dane Mia Blichfeldt recently criticised the unhealthy conditions at the venue, though the Badminton Association of India dismissed her claims. - Bernama