Best Badminton Player In the World (2024 Updated List)

Badminton, the game of agility, power, and fitness, is one of the most popular sports in the world. While it gained notable recognition years ago, it has seen an unprecedented rise worldwide in recent years. There are many best badminton players in the world, male and female, who have contributed significantly to the growth of this major game.

The skills, personality, and strength of these players are incredible and noteworthy. They received appreciation and awards and proved themselves an important part of the sports industry. In this blog, we will talk about the best badminton players in the world who have inspired the next generation.

The History Of Badminton

This popular game has a rich history. Its origin can be traced back to ancient civilization, with its roots in British India. The early form of Badminton was played in various cultures across Asia and Europe and was also named differently. In ancient China, it was called ‘ti jian zi‘, and in India it was formerly known as ‘Poona’. But the actual name Badminton gained its name from the Duke of Beaufort’s Badminton House in Gloucestershire, England. After years of origination, Badminton was officially included in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, marking a significant milestone in its history. The competitive aspect of Badminton expanded with the establishment of international tournaments. 

Badminton history is a tale of cultural exchange, innovation, and players’ skills. From being a leisure activity to a thrilling Olympic sport, Badminton continues to produce captivating players. In the below section, we will walk you through the best badminton players in the world. 

Listing The Worlds Best Badminton Players 

To rank the best badminton player in the world, we take references from the Badminton World Federation based on the points. Badminton has five categories; Men’s Single, Women’s Single, Men’s Double, Women’s Double, and Mixed Doubles. In the following section, you will find the best Badminton player in the world in the singles category.  

An Se Young – World’s Best Female Badminton Player  

An Se Young is the best badminton player in the world. She started her career in the year 2002 and soon emerged as a successful badminton player. Because of her exemplary court skills, she has received several awards, including Most Promising Player in 2019 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).  

Chen Yu Fei – World’s Best Female Badminton Player 

The second player on our list of best badminton players in the world is Chen Yu Fei from China. Because of her playing strategies, she is also regarded as one of the most famous badminton players in the world. With her flawless skills, she has won Bronze in the Asian Championships, Silver in the South Asian Games, and Gold in the Youth Olympic Games. She is regarded as the best badminton player in the world. 

Shi Yuqi

Yuqi is currently the best badminton player in the world in men’s singles. He is 28 years old and one of the most successful badminton players ever in the Youth Olympic Games. Shi is also the current Thomas Cup winner, held in 2024. 

Victor Axelsen

Victor Axelsen, a Danish badminton player, is one of the most successful and has previously been the best badminton player in the world. He has held the World’s number 1 position in badminton for 183 weeks in total. Along with this, he is also a 2-time Olympics champion, 2-time World champion and 4-time European Champion. These accolades have given Alex a position in our list of the best badminton players in the world in 2024. 

Tai Tzu-Ying

Tai Tzu-Ying is another woman who is widely regarded among the best badminton players in the world in 2024. She is in contention for being the youngest and best badminton player in the world in women’s badminton. Tai was named the BWF Women’s World number 1 athlete on December 26, when she was merely 22 years old. She was also the silver medalist in women’s singles in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and also won the 2021 BWF world championship. 

Carolina Marin

Carolina Marin is a Spanish badminton player, former 3-time world champion and Olympic champion. She is a highly accomplished athlete who has been in the game for a long time now, and she is still at the top. Now, she is one of the greatest women’s and one of the best badminton players in the world in 2024. She has won World Champion in women’s singles thrice in 2014, 2015, and 2018. Carolina also has European and World Championship titles to her name, ranking her as the sixth-best badminton player in the world. 

Jonatan Christie 

Jonatan is a relatively new Indonesian badminton player making his way to the top. He is currently the Asian champion and was part of the 2020 Thomas Cup-winning Indonesian team, for which he is considered one of the best badminton players in the world and has held the pedestal of the best badminton player in the world previously. He is yet to make his Olympics debut, which experts believe will happen in the 2028 Olympics. 

Anders Antonsen 

Anders Antonsen is a Danish badminton player who is considered by many as one of the most accomplished badminton players in the world. He has yet to be named the best badminton player in the world, as he has never reached the world’s number 1 ranking. He is a 3-time world champion and two-time European champion, and still, the best rank he has held is World number 2. He has 327 wins and 110 losses on his professional record, which is quite good for someone who is only 27 years old. 

Li Shifeng 

Li Shifeng is a Chinese badminton player and a former Asian and Youth Olympics champion. He is regarded by many as the best badminton player in the world. He started playing Badminton at 6 and participated in the National Youth Team Training Center in Shenyang at 14. Li Shi Feng was soon counted among the top 10 best shuttlers in the world. He won a Gold medal in the Youth Olympic Games against Lakshya Sen and a bronze medal against Kodai Naraoka, two of the best shuttlers in the world.

Yamaguchi Akane

According to BWF, the next best badminton player in the world is Akana Yamaguchi, who is ranked 10th on the list based on her points. Because of her mind-blowing playing skills, she is considered one of the best shuttlers in the world. Akana got her training from the Local Badminton Academy and was inspired by challengers and older badminton players.

Stories That Inspire Millions!!

The world of badminton is a treasure of extraordinary talent that has taken the game to the next level. Now, you know who the best badminton player in the world is based on the rating given by the BWF. From AN Se Young to Carolina Marin, each player on the list has left an indelible mark on their fans. As these badminton players continue to inspire the future generation, it is important to recognise their dedication, diligence, and determination. 

The Badminton game and the players are nothing without the best Badminton racket. While skills and focus are two primary factors behind the best performance, the right badminton racket from an authentic and popular brand also plays a vital role. So choose wisely if you are a beginner or a professional. 

FAQs