Refer to the list of the best female badminton player of all time in the section below.
Badminton has gained immense popularity worldwide over the years. It is now widely practiced both professionally and recreationally in every country. The sport’s appeal to people of all backgrounds can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, the equipment required to play badminton, such as a racquet, shuttlecock, and net, is simple and easily accessible. This accessibility allows individuals of all ages and fitness levels to participate, ranging from children playing in their own backyards to athletes competing in high-stakes international tournaments.
Since its introduction in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, badminton has experienced a significant surge in global recognition. This has greatly benefited badminton players, with many of them now achieving worldwide fame. Let us now explore the accomplishments of the best female badminton player in history, as they leave an indelible mark on the sport’s rich legacy.
1. Nozomi Okuhara (Japan)
Okuhara is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated athletes representing the host nation in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics. The Japanese badminton player, who finished third at the Rio Olympics, is determined to enhance her performance. Meanwhile, one of the top contenders for the 2017 World Championships title, Rio gold medalist Carolina Marin, will not be participating.
After Okuhara won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships, she shot to fame. She improved her bronze finish to gold in the 2012 World Junior Championships after winning the silver at the Asian Junior competition in 2012. The Japanese superstar won the 2021 All England Open, where she defeated Pornpawee Chochuwong in straight sets, as one of her five BWF World Tour victories. The 2019 World Championships were held in Basel, and the World No. 3 also placed second there, falling to PV Sindhu in the championship match.
2. He Bingjiao (China)
He Bingjiao, who is 24 years old, has been making a notable contribution to the badminton community since 2013. She clinched a bronze medal in both the World and Asian Junior Championships for girls’ singles. In 2015, she upgraded her Asian Bronze to a Gold, following her upgrade of the World Junior Bronze to a Silver in 2014. Additionally, she secured a gold medal at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
Equally significant has been her senior career. One BWF World Tour championship and two finals appearances were earned by the Chinese shuttler. She won Bronze in the Asian Championships in Wuhan in 2017 before making it to the finals and taking home a Silver two years later. A bronze medal was also earned by He Bingjiao at the 2018 World Championships in Nanjing.
3. Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)
Yamaguchi, one of the two home favorites, is expected to shine at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her badminton career has seen remarkable growth since she earned the silver medal at the 2012 World Junior Championships. As the current World No. 5, she has displayed dominance in the junior competition, securing gold medals in both the 2013 and 2014 global competitions. Additionally, she claimed the bronze medal in the Asian Junior Championships in 2012 before triumphantly winning the gold in 2014.
The senior career of Yamaguchi has been outstanding. Although coming in fourth behind fellow countrywoman Okuhara at the 2016 Olympics, where she was without a medal, Yamaguchi has continued to perform well in the Championships. At the 2019 Asian Championships, the Japanese shuttler won the Gold after taking home the Silver the previous year. She earned bronze in 2018 in the Asian Games and the World Championships. Six BWF World Tour championships have been won by the 24-year-old as well.
4. Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand)
Icon of Thai badminton Since the age of 13, Intanon has competed on a global scale, making it all the way to the Laos international series finals. When she won the girls’ singles competition at the World Junior Championships at the age of 14, she became the youngest person to ever do it. In both 2010 and 2011, she continued her winning streak in the competition.
She secured her first senior title in Guangzhou in 2013 at the age of 18 by emerging victorious over Li Xuerui in the women’s singles final of the World Championships, becoming the competition’s youngest-ever champion. In 2015, she once again defeated Xuerui to claim the Asian Championships. Despite facing a decline in performance over time, she made a remarkable comeback in 2019, winning the Bronze medal at the World Championships in Basel. With a strong performance in Tokyo, she aims to fulfill her dream of winning the coveted Olympic medal.
5. P.V. Sindhu (India)
Sindhu kickstarted her career in 2011 by clinching a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championships. The following year, she secured gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games, and in 2012, she elevated her Asian Junior Medal to gold. Making a mark at the World Championships in 2013, Sindhu reached the semifinals and earned a bronze medal. She added another bronze in 2014, two silvers in 2017 and 2018, and finally the gold in 2019. From that point on, she has been a consistent presence among the medal winners.
She achieved a remarkable feat at Rio 2016 by participating in the women’s singles finals. Despite being defeated by Carolina Marin, she gained recognition as an Indian icon due to her Silver medal. In the 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, she also secured Silver medals. Adding to her list of notable accomplishments are a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Championships and a third-place finish at the Commonwealth Games.
6. Carolina Marin (Spain)
Marin, a remarkable talent in badminton, has become a national sensation in her homeland, achieving remarkable success at the young age of 28. At the 2009 European Junior Championships, this 16-year-old prodigy from Spain made a significant impact by securing the silver medal in the girls’ singles competition. Building on her achievements, she went on to claim the gold medal two years later and added a bronze medal to her collection at the World Juniors.
Her senior stage witnessed even more inspiring performances. Marin secured five consecutive European Championship titles in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021, along with three global titles in 2014, 2015, and 2018. Regarded as one of the greatest badminton players in history, she clinched the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio by defeating PV Sindhu. Despite being unable to defend her Olympic title in Tokyo due to injury, Marin continues to be recognized as one of the top players in the sport.
7. An Se-young (South Korea)
Nineteen-year-old badminton prodigy An Se-young is steadily making her mark among the sport’s icons. Currently ranked eighth in the world, this talented shuttler has clinched five BWF World Tour championships, silently etching her name in the annals of the game. Her most notable triumph came in 2019 when she emerged victorious in a thrilling three-set final against Spanish standout Carolina Marin at the French Open.
Notably, Se-young also achieved a remarkable victory over Chinese legend Li Xuerui in the New Zealand Open. Alongside her five victories, she also secured two runner-up medals. Despite not yet claiming a major senior championship title, it is highly anticipated that this South Korean star will exert a significant influence at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
8. Chen Yufei (China)
Chen Yufei, aged 16, left a lasting impression during the 2014 Asian Junior Championships by reaching the finals. Although she was defeated by Akane Yamaguchi, she displayed resilience and emerged victorious with a Gold medal in Bangkok two years later. In that same year, she also secured the Gold at the World Junior Championships in Bilbao, showcasing her exceptional skills.
In 2017, Chen earned a well-deserved bronze medal at the world championships. The following year, she showcased her talent once again by making it to the finals of the Asian Championships, only to be defeated by Tai Tzu-ying and settling for a silver medal. Continuing her impressive performance, she clinched the bronze medal at both the Asian and World Championships in 2019.
Despite her remarkable achievements, including nine BWF World Tour victories, Chen is yet to claim a major championship title. As the current world No. 2 player, she is highly motivated to silence her critics and prove them wrong in Tokyo.
9. Tai Tzu-ying (Chinese Taipei)
In 2009 at the Asian Junior Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Tai Tzu-ying, at 27 years old, won her first significant badminton medal after making the finals. Her Silver medal turned out to be the first of several that would help her dominate Asian and global competitions. At the 2014 Asian Championships, the shuttler from Chinese Taipei took home the bronze medal. She won third place at the Asian Championships a year later.
Before earning the Gold at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, she won the Asian title in 2017 and 2018. On the BWF World Tour, she has won 11 titles out of 19 finals, demonstrating her consistency as a victor. Her most recent triumph was a thrilling three-set victory over Carolina Marin at the BWF World Tour Finals in 2020. Tokyo seems to be the perfect venue for her to do so because she has yet to have an effect at either the World Championships or the Olympics.
10. Pornpawee Chochuwong (Thailand)
Chochuwong, hailing from Thailand, has gained significant recognition for her remarkable accomplishments in the junior badminton category. At the tender age of 17, she secured the Silver medal in the 2015 Asian Championships, a feat she repeated in the World Junior Championships.
Furthermore, in both 2017 and 2019, she showcased her prowess by clinching two bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games. Despite her numerous achievements, Chochuwong has only managed to secure a single BWF World Tour victory. This notable triumph occurred in 2020 when she emerged victorious against Carolina Marin, ultimately claiming the Spain Masters title.
While her journey has been filled with triumphs, Chochuwong faced a setback in the 2021 All England Open final, where she unfortunately succumbed to defeat against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.
