Top badminton player says Delhi's air is so toxic he would rather pay $5,000 than play there
- World No. 4 Anders Antonsen — the fourth best badminton player on the planet — skipped the India Open for the third straight year in January 2026, citing Delhi's hazardous AQI of 348.
- Antonsen pays a $5,000 fine each year rather than compete — he is now urging India to reschedule the tournament away from winter months.
- The Badminton World Championships are in Delhi in August 2026 — Antonsen's repeated boycotts have put Delhi's fitness as a sports host in question.
Source: thewire.in
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