Top 10 Badminton Players In The World

Badminton is a fast-paced sport that requires agility and skill. It is played all over the world by exceptional players. One such player is Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who has put badminton on the map with his sterling performances. He has two Olympic gold medals in his kitty. He is also the current world champion.

1. Lin Dan

Often referred to as the rock star of badminton, Lin Dan is one of the most decorated players in history with five world championship titles. The left-hander boasts ruthlessly efficient footwork, unparalleled momentum, and a smash that stops other players in their tracks.

Lin started 2007 with a loss to South Korea’s Park Sung-hwan in the round of 16 at the Malaysia Open but captured the Korea Open a week later and followed it up by winning the German and All-England championships, crushing his Chinese teammate Chen Jin in both finals. In the same year he helped China recapture the Sudirman Cup by shutting out defending champion South Korea in the semifinals and Indonesia in the final.

A moody player, Lin drew jeers when he withdrew from the Singapore Open final in March citing gastric flu but he regained his number one ranking by winning the Japan, Hong Kong and China Masters tournaments. He also captained the Chinese team at the Thomas Cup, guiding them to victory against South Korea and Malaysia.

2. Lee Chong Wei

In a career that spanned over 19 years, Lee Chong Wei won 69 titles including four Olympic silver medals and 12 Malaysia Open titles. His achievements earned him the title ‘Datuk’ and made him a national hero of his country, Malaysia. His exceptional skills, agility, and remarkable sportsmanship have won him a place in the hearts of badminton enthusiasts all over the world.

Lee Chong Wei started his journey as a professional shuttler when he was drafted into the national squad by former national coach Misbun Sidek in 2000. He rose to prominence in 2006 when he won back-to-back Yonex All England titles as well as the Malaysia Open.

He also competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics but his journey ended in the second round of the quadrennial sporting event. However, it was not the end of his glory days as he reached the top of the men’s singles rankings for more than 400 weeks. This was a record-breaking feat for any athlete in any sport. His in-game tactics and strategic mind set have helped him win several major tournaments and earned him a spot in the coveted list of the best badminton players in the world.

3. Gao Ling

One of the best Chinese badminton players ever, Gao Ling made a name for herself in the sport. She dominated the circuit during her career and won almost all the tournaments she played. Her tally of medals includes two Olympic golds and four World Championship titles.

She started her career as a basketball player but was unable to make it big so decided to pursue badminton. Gao Ling has been a role model to many rising players and has proved that hard work pays off.

At number 4 we have Taufik Hidayat, who is a dominant Indonesian badminton player. He was a part of the same era as Lin Dan and competed against him in several games that were highly contested. He is known to have one of the fastest smashes in the game and has won numerous Indonesian Open titles over the years.

4. Taufik Hidayat

Badminton is a fast-paced sport with a lot of physical exertion. It is also a great way to stay in shape and stay healthy. It is a very popular sport in Asia and there are many clubs all over the world that offer this sport to their members. In addition, there are also many colleges that sponsor badminton teams and compete in inter-collegiate competitions.

One of the most famous Indonesian badminton players, Taufik Hidayat, is a legendary player who is loved by fans all over the world for his magical play style. He is renowned for his backhand smash, which generates incredible power, and his silky footwork and deceptive net play. He is also a six-time Indonesian Open champion.

Another Danish badminton superstar, Peter Gade, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist who won a total of 22 Grand Prix titles in his career. He is also a five-time World Championship winner and has been ranked number 1 on multiple occasions. He is a legendary player who is respected for his consistency and fighting spirit.

5. Peter Gade

This Danish player, a world champion with 22 Grand Prix titles, sustained his number 1 ranking from 1998 to 2001. Gade is beloved in his home country, but also well-liked by the players he competes with for his belief that badminton should always be played fair.

During his career, he won many competitions and his medal tally includes two Olympic gold medals, three World Championships and one World Cup. After retiring from the game, he became a coach and has been involved with various programs to promote the sport with young people.

Another legendary European player, this Danish athlete is best known for his impressive smashes and loud celebrations. After his retirement from the professional arena, he established a training centre in his home country and was also involved with several coaching programmes. He is an idol for many badminton enthusiasts worldwide and is even a model for Yonex’s Arcsaber Z Slash racket. Despite his retirement in 2012, he has continued to spread his love for the game and inspire many rising badminton stars.

6. Morten Frost Hansen

During the heyday of badminton in the 80s, Morten Frost Hansen was one of the most dominant players. His dazzling display of skill on the court captivated audiences, earning him the nickname Super Dan. He was not afraid to take risks and attempt difficult shots that left his opponents flabbergasted.

Throughout his career, Hansen won every major tournament except the World Championships. When he finally returned to the competition in 1991, he lost early on. However, he still left his mark as a great player in the history of badminton.

Another Danish shuttler with a wealth of titles and championships to his name is Peter Gade. The former world number 1 topped the rankings for 76 consecutive weeks between December 2014 and July 2016. He also boasts a slew of medals from various international tournaments including two Olympic golds, and several All England and Asian Championship titles.

7. Kento Momota

The enigmatic Momota has become a role model for many aspiring badminton players and has proved that hard work really pays off. His incredible skills and relentless playing style have earned him the respect of fans, fellow players and coaches worldwide.

His ability to read the game and apply strategic play has made him one of the best badminton players in the world. The Danish player topped the rankings for a remarkable 76 weeks and has 22 Grand Prix titles to his name.

Born on 1 September 1994 in Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture, Momota started to show his badminton talent when he was in grade two of elementary school. He won his first title at a fairly prestigious tournament called the All Japan Elementary School Championships. After that, he attended Tomioka High School in Fukushima Prefecture to hone his badminton skills.

8. Chen Long

With two Olympic gold medals and numerous career titles to his name, Chen Long is widely considered one of the greatest badminton players ever to enlighten the sport. He’s known for his aggressive play and for risk-taking shots that leave opponents helpless.

A former world champion, Jan O Jorgensen is a Denmark-based badminton player who has won several Grand Prix titles. He’s also been a part of the Danish team that won two consecutive Thomas Cup titles in 2015 and 2021.

Xie Xingfang is another famous Chinese badminton player who made her mark in the sport back in the 2000s and early 2010s. She’s a doubles specialist who has won several top-tier titles.

Kento Momota is a Japanese badminton player who’s arguably the greatest male shuttler to ever come out of the country. He’s won numerous international titles since making his debut in the professional circuit, including two consecutive men’s singles titles at the Asian Badminton Championships in 2018 and 2019. The left-handed legend is a force to be reckoned with in every tournament.

9. Viktor AXELSEN

Denmark’s Viktor AXELSEN is a world-class champion badminton player, the first Danish male shuttler to win a World Championship title in 2017. His rise to the top of the sport has broken the Asian monopoly over badminton’s elite players and has inspired many to take up the game. The six-foot-four-inch Axelsen has a strong and aggressive style that makes him hard to beat. But he also knows how to handle his failures and setbacks, and has the mental strength to overcome them. In addition to his physical training, Axelsen uses mindfulness and deliberate practice to keep his focus on the goal of becoming better. He has also embraced the use of technology to help him practice effectively and improve his performance on court.

Axelsen’s new mental approach appears to be working for him. He now works with a mental coach, Bjarne Slot “BS” Christiansen, a former soldier from the Danish elite special forces military unit Jaeger Corps.

10. Lee Zii Jia

Zii Jia started playing badminton at the age of six, after his parents noticed his potential in the sport. He was quickly selected to join the Bukit Jalil Sports School, which helped him develop into an exhilarating player. He won the Perak and Selangor Badminton Open tournament in 2015 and rose to prominence with his impressive performance at the Asian Junior Championships and World Junior Championships. He also won a silver medal in the men’s national team competition at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

He has since won multiple titles and remained at the top of his game. Despite his successes, Lee has been plagued by injuries and was forced to miss the 2024 Olympics in Paris due to a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, the legendary badminton player continues to be an inspiration to his fans and followers with his unwavering dedication to training and preparation.