An Se Young Reveals Friendship with Volleyball Star Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi
The world of elite sports often operates within silos, but a unique connection has emerged between two of the globe’s most prominent athletes. An Se-young, the world’s number one-ranked women’s singles badminton player from South Korea, has revealed an unexpected and blossoming friendship with Indonesian volleyball star Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi.
This unlikely bond, which spans both geography and sporting disciplines, began through a mutual contact. An Se-young, who has expressed a deep interest in various sports including volleyball, noted that the introduction was facilitated by one of her coaches who maintains a connection to the volleyball world. The friendship has since moved beyond a mere professional acquaintance, evolving into a personal relationship where the two athletes keep in regular contact.
Did You Know? The friendship between the world-class badminton player and the Indonesian volleyball star is maintained through personal communication, including regular video calls, despite their busy international schedules.
Expert Insight: The emergence of this cross-sport friendship highlights the shrinking barriers between global athletic icons in the digital age. While fans often categorize athletes by their specific discipline, these personal connections demonstrate that elite competitors share common ground in the pressures and demands of professional sports. This relationship serves as a bridge between the badminton and volleyball communities, potentially broadening the viewership and cultural impact of both sports in their respective regions.
Building a Digital Connection
The friendship recently gained public attention ahead of the Indonesia Open 2026. A candid interaction between the two was shared on social media, highlighting their genuine rapport. A video posted on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, via Megawati’s personal Instagram story—originally shared by her husband, Dio Novandra—captured the pair engaged in a lighthearted and warm video call.
In the footage, the two athletes exchange greetings and share laughter, clearly comfortable with one another. The social media post underscored the significance of their respective positions in the sporting world, with the caption celebrating the connection between the “top player single 1 world” and the “top player voli 1 Indonesia,” labelling them both as idols in their respective fields.
As both athletes continue to excel in their high-profile careers, their public friendship could lead to further collaborative content or increased cross-promotion between their fanbases. Their ongoing communication suggests a stable bond that may continue to flourish as they represent their nations on the world stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did An Se-young and Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi first meet?
The two athletes were introduced through one of An Se-young’s coaches who is acquainted with Megawati.
What is the nature of their relationship?
An Se-young describes Megawati as one of her close friends, noting that they maintain their relationship through regular personal communication, including video calls.
When did the public become aware of their friendship?
The friendship gained public visibility on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, when Megawati shared a video of a warm interaction with An Se-young on her Instagram story.
How do you think social media influences the way athletes from different sports connect with each other globally?