Badminton has been dominated by Asian countries like China, Malaysia, Japan, and Indonesia and newcomer countries like India, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Believe it or not, The Great Wall of China has always been in badminton and that’s why four of the top 10 players from China are in the top 10 list. China continues to dominate the badminton court with a record 161 medals up to the last World Championships, including 58 gold, 40 silver, and 63 bronze medals.
Number 1: Lin Dan
Legendary Chinese badminton player Lin Dan is number 1 and why not? He is considered by many to be the greatest male singles player of all time. At the age of 28, the smash king won all nine major titles in international badminton and completed the “Super Grand Slam”. It is very rare throughout his career that he has won a bronze medal and that is why he is “Super Dan”. His incredible achievements include two consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games, 5 gold and one silver medal at the World Championships, 2 gold medals at the Badminton World Championship, 5 gold and 2 bronze medals at the Thomas Cup, 3 gold medals at the Asian Games, 3 Asian Games gold medals at championships and the title of the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong.
The list does not end here, there are many names, but at the same time, there are close names from other parts of the world that will surely one day dominate the world of badminton. Carolina Marin, Jan O Jorgensen, Viktor Axelsen, Ratchanok Intanon, Pusarla V Sindhu, Akane Yamaguchi, Saina Nehwal, Misaki Matsutomo/ Ayaka Takahashi and Chris Adcock/ Gabrielle Adcock are a few names to watch out for in the future.
Number 2: Lee Chong Wei
The second-best player is none other than Malaysian giant Lee Chong Wei. It all started on August 21, 2008, when he became the only Malaysian player to be ranked No. 1 in the world for 199 consecutive weeks. Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei’s on-court rivalry is as famous as their off-court friendship. It was Lee who was defeated twice in the men’s singles Olympic badminton final by Lin Dan in his pursuit of the gold medal. After denying gold in 2008 and 2012, he lost the 2016 Olympic final to another Chinese player to settle for silver.
Lee has been named BWF Player of the Year four times, winning gold medals at the 2006 Asian Championships, three silver and bronze medals at the World Championships, four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, silver and three bronze medals at the Thomas Cup, and one gold and silver medal at the Southeast Asians games. Read More: Hockey Pro League: Team India ready to begin fresh before the Olympics
Number 3: Gao Ling
Gao Ling Considered the most successful doubles player Chinese badminton player Gao Ling is the second-best player in the series. She is famous for her anticipation, consistency and always smiling face. She dominated the badminton era in women’s and mixed doubles, winning two golds, one bronze, and one silver at the Olympics.
The other feathers on his cap are four gold medals at the Badminton World Championship, three gold medals at the Sudirman Cup, and five gold medals at the Uber Cup. Along with her women’s doubles partner, Huang Sui, she made history by winning six consecutive titles at the All-England Championships from 2001-2006.
Number 4: Taufik Hidayat
Retired Indonesian badminton player Taufik Hidayat is the fourth-best player of the badminton era and holds the record for the top speed of 305 km/h at the 2006 World Championships. He started very young and holds the record of winning the Indonesian Open six times. The duo, famous for their rivalry against Lin Dan, have been dubbed “arch-rivals” for the popular medals.
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In his career, he has three gold, two silver, and one bronze medals at Asian Championships, one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at World Championships, two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals in Thomas Cup, one silver and won two bronze medals at the Asian Games and the men’s singles title at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Number 5: Rudy HartonoIn
Fifth place is Rudy Hartono, the greatest athlete and wonderful badminton player of all time. This Indonesian former badminton player was at the peak of his career in the 1960s and 1970s when he won the world’s oldest badminton championship – the All-England Championship – eight times between 1968 and 1974, with a record seven straight wins. He played at his first BWF World Championship and won the title at the second IBF World Championship in 1980. When badminton was first introduced at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, it won the men’s singles title.
Number 6: Li Lingwei
The next champion comes from China, Li Lingwei. An amazing all-rounder who dominated the badminton court with her net game was considered the best of them all. Inducted into the International Badminton Hall of Fame in 1998, she won 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals at the 1985 BWF World Championships and also captured the World Grand Prix individual title.
Number 7: Tony Gunawan
Another badminton player who destroyed the Great Wall of China is Tony Gunawan from Indonesia. After his retirement, he is a successful coach. From 1992 to 2001 he represented Indonesia. With 358 international titles, he is the most successful doubles player in the world. Playing with three different partners, he has won men’s doubles gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, titles at the Seville 2001 World Championships, and the 2005 Anaheim World Championships. He also won the 2001 All-England Open with partner Halim Haryanto.
Nos. 9 and 8: Peter Høeg Gade and Morten Frost Hansen
There are two Danish badminton players, Morten Frost Hansen and Peter Høeg Gade, who rank 8th and 9th respectively. In the years when Asian countries dominated the badminton court, they were perhaps the only two European players who could stay on the sidelines. Morten spent twelve years in the top three positions in the world rankings. Nicknamed Mr. Badminton Morten, he won all international championships except the Badminton World Championship. Winner of all four Badminton All-England Open Championships, Morten claimed a record seven Nordic Championships. He also won the Danish Open seven times in a row. His compatriot and former world No. 1 Peter Hoeg Gade was known for his supple footwork and signature shot, the double action. The five-time European champion also won three gold medals at European team championships. He also achieved the bronze medal just before retiring at the 2012 Wuhan Thomas and Uber Cup.
Number 10: Han Aiping
Tenth on the list is Chinese badminton player Han Aiping. She dominated the space in the 80s with her excellent overhead recordings. She won the most women’s singles Opens of her career, including the Japan Open twice, the Hong Kong Open four times, and the Malaysian Open three times, and also won the Dutch Masters, the China Open, the Swedish Open, and the German Open. Inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame in 1988, it was wonderful to see her on the court.
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