Who are the Best Badminton Players?

Badminton is a popular and well-known sport worldwide. It is played by many in over 160 countries, making it one of the most widely played sports in the world. Badminton has been an Olympic sport since 1992 and is also included in many other international multi-sport events.

 The Badminton World Federation (BWF) governs the sport globally and organises various events, including the BWF World Championships and the BWF World Tour. Many countries have their own national badminton teams, and there are also professional badminton players who compete in international tournaments and leagues.

Badminton is famous for several reasons. Firstly, it is an easy sport to pick up, requiring minimal equipment and a small playing area. People of all ages and skill levels can play it. Furthermore, with a rich history, this sport is fast-paced and exciting, with quick movements, jumps, and smashes. It also provides a great workout, various health benefits, and improves hand-eye coordination and agility.

Since it is a social sport that is often played in doubles, it provides a great opportunity to socialise with new people and make friends in a fun environment. We know there are many great and world-class badminton players. In this regard, Superprof will discuss seven famous badminton players worldwide.

This Danish badminton star has placed himself at the top of the world's rankings. The 29-year-old made a big splash at the 2010 World Junior Championships when he won the title and became the first European to do so.

Axelsen's professional career hit off after 2014 when he was a part of Denmark's winning team at the European Mixed Team Championship. In 2016, he won his first European Championship by beating Jan Jorgensen in France.

As of January 2023, he ranks as the number-one player globally. Axelsen started his 2023 campaign just as well as last season, defending his Malaysian Open title and becoming the first badminton player from Europe to successfully defend the title, defeating rising Japanese star Kodai Naraoka.

This right-handed player was named the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Male Player of the Year last year after winning six titles on the BWF World Tour, including the World Tour Final in Bangkok the previous month, in addition to his second world title in Tokyo, August last year.

Many believe that Yamaguchi, a teenage prodigy from Japan, has what it takes to become a top-tier women's singles badminton player in the future. When she was 16 years old, Yamaguchi made history by becoming the youngest player ever to win a BWF Super Series tournament after defeating Shizuka Uchida in the 2013 Japan Super Series final.

Yamaguchi is known for her speed, agility, and precision on the court. She has won numerous titles throughout her career, including the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships in 2019. She has also represented Japan in international competitions, including the Olympics and the World Championships.

In the year 2016, Yamaguchi claimed her second Super Series title by defeating the 5th seeded player Sung Ji Hyun at the Korea Open. She went on to win the Denmark Open in Odense, becoming only the third non-Chinese women's singles player to win two consecutive super series.

Yamaguchi is considered one of the top women's singles players in the world, and her rivalry with fellow Japanese player Nozomi Okuhara is legendary in badminton circles.

Lin Dan is a professional badminton player on the Chinese national team. Sports fans and critics consider him the greatest singles player of all time. He is known as a badminton player with above-average technique and a champion's mentality.

Lin, has accomplished a remarkable feat in the world of badminton by winning every major competition including the Olympics, World Championship, World Cup, Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Master, All England Open, Asian Games, and Asian Championships. This achievement has established him as the first singles player to do so. Additionally, he has made history by becoming the first to defend an Olympic gold medal. He won the title in 2008 and retained it in 2012.

In his career as a professional badminton player, Lin Dan has faced many great players. He is known to have a rivalry with Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) and Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia) on the court.

After spending 20 years in the international badminton scene, Lin Dan decided to hang up his racket in 2020. The badminton world lost one of its greatest players, especially in the men's singles sector.

Lee Chong Wei is a former professional badminton player from Malaysia. He is considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time, having won numerous international titles and achieving the world number one ranking for a record 199 consecutive weeks.

His extraordinary sports achievements successfully raised Malaysia's name to the international stage. Over the course of his profession, he has won 713 matches out of 851. Lee made a name for himself in the world of badminton as a singles player, holding the title of the best player for 349 weeks, during which he was ranked number one for 199 consecutive weeks (from August 21, 2008, to June 14, 2012).

He has been an ambassador for badminton and has worked to promote the sport both in Malaysia and around the world. In 2019, Lee officially announced his retirement after finding that his health was affected after being diagnosed with nasal cancer.

However, he has since made a full recovery and continues to be involved in the sport as a mentor and commentator. His legacy as one of the greatest badminton players of all time is secure, and he remains an inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world.

This Indonesian badminton legend, Rudy Hartono is one of the greatest players of all time. He achieved an outstanding accomplishment of winning the esteemed All-England championship on eight occasions, with an impressive streak of seven consecutive wins from 1968 to 1974.

In contrast, Rudy's participation in the World Championship was limited to just one appearance throughout his career, during which he emerged victorious at the IBF World Championship held in Jakarta in 1980. Additionally, he was awarded four gold and two silver medals in the Thomas Cup.

Thanks to his various achievements, Rudy Hartono was included in the elite group of the World Badminton Hall of Fame in 1997. He also received the Republic of Indonesia's Bintang Jasa Utama Medal of Honor from the government.

After learning about these great players, are you inspired to learn how to play badminton? Check out the best badminton lessons in Malaysia!

Superprof is a great platform to learn badminton. With experienced and certified badminton coaches, Superprof offers badminton lessons for all levels of players, from beginners to advanced levels. Superprof instructors or coaches teach badminton techniques, footwork, strokes, and strategies to improve your game. They also provide feedback and tips to help you improve your skills and reach your goals.

Lessons are customised according to your needs and preferences. Do you want to brush up on your serving technique? Our coaches can spend more time working with you on that particular skill. With Superprof, you can learn badminton at your own pace and schedule and enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, increased focus, and improved coordination.