Anders Antonsen Withdraws from India Open 2026 Due to Pollution Concerns

Antonsen's Withdrawal from India Open

World's second-ranked badminton player, Anders Antonsen, has officially announced his withdrawal from the India Open 2026, citing severe pollution levels in New Delhi as the primary reason. This decision marks the third consecutive year that Anders has chosen to skip this Super 750 event. In a post on Instagram, he expressed hope that the air quality in New Delhi would improve later this year, coinciding with the BWF World Championships scheduled to take place in the capital.

BWF Fine for Antonsen

Anders also revealed that he has been fined $5,000 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). He stated, "Many are curious about my decision to withdraw from the India Open for the third year in a row. The extreme pollution in Delhi makes it unsuitable for hosting a badminton tournament. I hope conditions will improve by summer for the World Championships in Delhi. Consequently, BWF has once again imposed a $5,000 fine on me." He included a screenshot in his Instagram story showing the air quality in Delhi, which indicated an AQI of 348, categorizing it as hazardous.

Current Air Quality in Delhi

The air quality in Delhi continues to be a significant issue, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 357 at 7 AM on Wednesday, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This represents a decline from Tuesday's AQI of 337.

Numerous areas throughout the national capital reported AQI levels exceeding 300, indicating ongoing hazardous conditions for public health. Notably, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 366, while Bawana reported 361. Jahangirpuri experienced particularly concerning levels, with an AQI reaching 420, categorizing it as 'severe.' Other areas included RK Puram at 407, Dwarka Sector 8 at 403, Punjabi Bagh at 366, Wazirpur at 386, and Chandni Chowk at 397, as per CPCB data.