Badminton is a popular sport played by millions of people around the world. It requires speed, agility, and precision, making it a challenging and exciting game to watch. Over the years, there have been many talented badminton players who have risen to the top of the sport. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best badminton players in the world and rank them based on their performance and achievements.
Introduction to Badminton Rankings
Badminton players are ranked based on their performance in various tournaments and competitions. The rankings are determined by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which is the governing body for the sport. The rankings are updated regularly to reflect the current form and standing of the players.
The rankings are divided into several categories, including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Each category has its own set of top players who have distinguished themselves through their skill and success on the court.
In this article, we will focus on the top players in the men’s singles and women’s singles categories, as these are the most prestigious and competitive events in badminton.
Badminton Rankings
Rankings for Men’s Singles
| BWF World Rankings (Men’s singles) as of 7 May 2024[9] |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Country | Players | Points | Highest peak | ||
| Rank | Date | |||||
| 1 |  |
 Denmark |
Viktor Axelsen | 98,715 | 1 | September 28, 2017 |
| 2 | |
 China |
Shi Yuqi | 94,915 | 2 | August 24, 2017 |
| 3 | |
 Indonesia |
Jonatan Christie | 91,727 | 2 | January 31, 2023 |
| 4 | |
Denmark |
Anders Antonsen | 88,391 | 2 | September 27, 2022 |
| 5 | |
 Japan |
Kodai Naraoka | 83,597 | 2 | December 12, 2023 |
| 6 | |
China |
Li Shifeng | 83,456 | 3 | October 31, 2023 |
| 7 | |
Indonesia |
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting | 79,701 | 2 | January 24, 2023 |
| 8 | |
 Thailand |
Kunlavut Vitidsarn | 79,588 | 3 | June 6, 2023 |
| 9 | |
 India |
Prannoy H. S. | 75,982 | 6 | August 29, 2023 |
| 10 | |
 Malaysia |
Lee Zii Jia | 69,856 | 2 | October 25, 2022 |
| 11 |  2 |
India |
Lakshya Sen | 65,138 | 6 | November 8, 2022 |
| 12 |  1 |
Japan |
Kenta Nishimoto | 64,982 | 9 | September 6, 2018 |
| 13 | 1 |
 Singapore |
Loh Kean Yew | 64,752 | 3 | November 8, 2022 |
| 14 | |
 Chinese Taipei |
Chou Tien-chen | 62,498 | 2 | August 6, 2019 |
| 15 | |
 Hong Kong, China |
Lee Cheuk Yiu | 61,699 | 13 | January 23, 2024 |
| 16 | 1 |
Chinese Taipei |
Lin Chun-yi | 60,261 | 16 | May 7, 2024 |
| 17 | 1 |
China |
Weng Hongyang | 59,950 | 15 | February 20, 2024 |
| 18 | |
Malaysia |
Ng Tze Yong | 58,735 | 14 | November 21, 2023 |
| 19 | |
China |
Lu Guangzu | 56,691 | 10 | January 17, 2023 |
| 20 | |
 France |
Toma Junior Popov | 55,455 | 20 | April 16, 2024 |
Rankings for Women’s singles
| BWF World Rankings (Women’s singles) as of 16 April 2024[10] |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Country | Players | Points | Highest peak | ||
| Rank | Date | |||||
| 1 | |
 South Korea |
An Se-young | 111,314 | 1 | August 1, 2023 |
| 2 | |
China |
Chen Yufei | 102,596 | 1 | December 17, 2019 |
| 3 | 2 |
 Spain |
Carolina Marín | 93,736 | 1 | June 11, 2015 |
| 4 | |
Japan |
Akane Yamaguchi | 93,517 | 1 | April 19, 2018 |
| 5 | 2 |
Chinese Taipei |
Tai Tzu-ying | 92,736 | 1 | December 1, 2016 |
| 6 | |
China |
He Bingjiao | 76,274 | 5 | November 15, 2022 |
| 7 | |
China |
Han Yue | 75,486 | 7 | March 19, 2024 |
| 8 | 1 |
China |
Wang Zhiyi | 75,148 | 6 | January 31, 2023 |
| 9 | 1 |
Indonesia |
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung | 72,271 | 7 | July 4, 2023 |
| 10 | |
 United States |
Beiwen Zhang | 68,556 | 9 | June 22, 2017 |
| 11 | 2 |
Japan |
Aya Ohori | 64,417 | 11 | April 16, 2024 |
| 12 | 1 |
Thailand |
Ratchanok Intanon | 63,073 | 1 | April 21, 2016 |
| 13 | 1 |
South Korea |
Kim Ga-eun | 61,940 | 12 | December 19, 2023 |
| 14 | 2 |
India |
P. V. Sindhu | 61,222 | 2 | April 1, 2017 |
| 15 | |
China |
Zhang Yiman | 58,354 | 13 | September 19, 2023 |
| 16 | |
Thailand |
Supanida Katethong | 57,244 | 14 | November 7, 2023 |
| 17 | |
Japan |
Nozomi Okuhara | 57,027 | 1 | October 29, 2019 |
| 18 | 1 |
Singapore |
Yeo Jia Min | 53,396 | 16 | December 7, 2021 |
| 19 | 1 |
Thailand |
Pornpawee Chochuwong | 53,179 | 8 | October 4, 2022 |
| 20 | |
Thailand |
Busanan Ongbamrungphan | 52,180 | 10 | November 1, 202 |
Who is the Best Men’s Singles Player?
1. Kento Momota (Japan)
Kento Momota is widely regarded as the best men’s singles player in the world. The Japanese player has dominated the sport in recent years, winning numerous titles and accolades. Momota’s speed and agility on the court make him a formidable opponent, and his ability to control the game with his powerful shots and precise placement sets him apart from his competitors.
2. Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
Viktor Axelsen is another top contender in the men’s singles category. The Danish player has a strong attacking style and is known for his powerful smashes and quick footwork. Axelsen has won several major tournaments, including the All England Open and the World Championships, solidifying his place among the best in the world.
3. Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei)
Chou Tien Chen is a rising star in men’s singles badminton. The Chinese Taipei player has a versatile playing style, with a mix of power and finesse that keeps his opponents on their toes. Chou has had success in several international competitions, including the Asian Games and the BWF World Tour Finals.
4. Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
Anders Antonsen is another Danish player who has made a name for himself in the men’s singles category. Antonsen is known for his aggressive playing style and his ability to dictate the pace of the game. He has won several titles on the BWF circuit and is considered a strong contender for future major championships.
5. Jonatan Christie (Indonesia)
Jonatan Christie is a talented Indonesian player who has quickly risen through the ranks in men’s singles badminton. Christie’s speed and agility on the court make him a formidable opponent, and his ability to execute precise shots under pressure has earned him several titles on the international stage.
Who is the Best Women’s Singles Player?
1. Tai Tzu Ying (Chinese Taipei)
Tai Tzu Ying is widely regarded as the best women’s singles player in the world. The Chinese Taipei player is known for her deceptive playing style and her ability to outmaneuver her opponents with her quick footwork and sharp strokes. Tai has won numerous titles, including the All England Open and the BWF World Championships, cementing her status as a top player in the sport.
2. Carolina Marin (Spain)
Carolina Marin is a Spanish player who has made a name for herself in women’s singles badminton. Marin is known for her aggressive playing style and her ability to dominate opponents with her powerful smashes and quick movements. Marin has won several major championships, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships, making her one of the most successful players in the sport.
3. Nozomi Okuhara (Japan)
Nozomi Okuhara is a talented Japanese player who has proven herself as a top contender in women’s singles badminton. Okuhara’s speed and agility on the court make her a tough opponent to beat, and her ability to retrieve difficult shots and turn defense into offense has earned her several titles on the international circuit.
4. Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand)
Ratchanok Intanon is a skilled Thai player who has impressed fans and critics alike with her talent and determination on the court. Intanon’s versatility and creativity in her shots make her a unique player to watch, and her ability to stay calm under pressure has helped her secure victories in several prestigious tournaments.
5. Pusarla V. Sindhu (India)
Pusarla V. Sindhu, also known as PV Sindhu, is an Indian player who has made a name for herself in women’s singles badminton. Sindhu’s height and reach give her a distinct advantage on the court, allowing her to execute powerful smashes and aggressive shots. Sindhu has won several titles, including the World Championships and the BWF World Tour Finals, establishing herself as a top player in the sport.
Conclusion
Badminton is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires skill, agility, and precision. The top players in the world have earned their rankings through hard work, determination, and talent on the court. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see more talented players rise to the top and compete for the title of the world’s best badminton player.
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