Badminton Players

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Badminton players play the racquet sport, badminton. This sport is played by two competing individuals or two opposing teams consisting of two players each who hit a shuttlecock back and forth across the net using their racquets. Badminton is a very popular sport that originated in the mid 19th century in British India. Competitive badminton events in five categories were first held at the Olympic Games in 1992. The popularity of badminton stems from the fact that is it very easy to play and can be played in small spaces. It is a much loved recreational sport with millions over the world playing badminton in order to get some exercise and keep fit. Being a professional badminton player is a challenging task. The players need to possess excellent speed and agility combined with stamina and endurance. Striking the shuttlecock precisely also calls for explosive strength and good hand to eye coordination. Badminton is an extremely fast paced sport that calls for quick reflex actions. Players also need to develop their technique and footwork in order to perfect the game. This section provides you information about the life and works of various famous badminton players from all over the world.

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 1 
P. V. Sindhu
(The First and Only Indian to Become the Badminton World Champion)
P. V. Sindhu
70
Birthdate: July 5, 1995
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

P. V. Sindhu is an Indian badminton player. In 2016, she won the Olympic silver medal in Rio de Janeiro, becoming the first Indian woman to receive an Olympic silver. Sindhu became a national icon following her performance in the 2016 Olympics. In January 2020, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.

 2 
Lin Dan
(One of the Greatest Badminton Players of All Time)
Lin Dan
21
Birthdate: October 14, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Longyan, Fujian, China

With 666 career wins, including two Olympic and two World Cup golds, Lin Dan is one of the veterans of Chinese badminton. He is the only player to achieve a Super Slam, winning all nine major badminton titles. Known for his fitness and attacking style, Dan retired at 37.

 3 
Prakash Padukone
(Former Indian Badminton Player Who Became the First Indian to Win the All England Open Badminton Championships)
Prakash Padukone
19
Birthdate: June 10, 1955
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Arjuna Award- and Padma Shri-winning Indian badminton player and former world number 1, Prakash Padukone was the first to win the All-England Open Badminton Championship from India. A World Cup and Commonwealth Games champion, he co-owns Olympic Gold Quest. He is also known as Bollywood star Deepika Padukone’s father.

 4 
Pullela Gopichand
(The Second Indian to Win the All England Open Badminton Championship)
Pullela Gopichand
13
Birthdate: November 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India

The second Indian badminton player to win the All-England Open Badminton Championships, Indian badminton star Pullela Gopichand now coaches the Indian national team. He was 11 when he began playing the sport. An Asian Championship bronze winner, he has been awarded countless honors, such as the Arjuna Award and the Padma Bhushan.

 5 
Carolina Marin
(Badminton player)
Carolina Marin
32
Birthdate: June 15, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Huelva, Spain
 6 
Viktor Axelsen
(Badminton player)
Viktor Axelsen
14
Birthdate: January 4, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Odense, Denmark
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 7 
Tai Tzu-ying
(Badminton player)
Tai Tzu-ying
20
Birthdate: June 20, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
 8 
Lee Zii Jia
(Badminton player)
Lee Zii Jia
8
Birthdate: March 29, 1998
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia

Malaysian badminton player Lee Zii Jia has gold medals in the Asian Championships, the Asia Team Championships, and the Southeast Asian Games. He began his training in badminton at age 6 and later joined the Bukit Jalil Sports School. He made headlines when he was banned by the Badminton Association of Malaysia temporarily.

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 9 
Chen Long
(Chinese Professional Badminton Player and Olympic Gold Medallist)
Chen Long
8
Birthdate: January 18, 1989
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Shashi District, Jingzhou, Hubei, China

Chen Long is a Chinese competitive badminton player best known for winning a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's singles event in Rio de Janeiro. Chen has also won gold medals at World Championships, Asian Games, and Asian Championships. A former world number 1, Chen has also won the Sudirman Cup on five occasions so far.

 10 
Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo
(Badminton player)
Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo
14
Birthdate: August 2, 1995
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia
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 11 
Lee Chong Wei
(Malaysian Former Badminton Player and Three-Time Olympic Silver Medallist)
Lee Chong Wei
41
Birthdate: October 21, 1982
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bagan Serai, Malaysia
Malaysian former badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei held the first rank for 349 weeks as a singles player, thus becoming the only player from his country to be number one for over a year. He is a three-time Olympic silver medalist but quit the game after his cancer diagnosis.
 12 
Nozomi Okuhara
(Badminton player)
Nozomi Okuhara
14
Birthdate: March 13, 1995
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: ÅŒmachi, Nagano, Japan
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 13 
Kento Momota
(Badminton player)
Kento Momota
14
Birthdate: September 1, 1994
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mino, Kagawa, Japan
 14 
Hendra Setiawan
(Badminton player)
Hendra Setiawan
6
Birthdate: August 25, 1984
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia
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 15 
An Se-young
(Badminton player)
An Se-young
5
Birthdate: February 5, 2002
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Gwangju, South Korea
 16 
Susi Susanti
(Badminton player)
Susi Susanti
14
Birthdate: February 11, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
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 17 
Peter Gade
(Badminton player)
Peter Gade
12
Birthdate: December 14, 1976
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Aalborg, Denmark
 18 
Li Xuerui
(Chinese Professional Badminton Player)
Li Xuerui
9
Birthdate: January 24, 1991
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chongqing, China

Former world number one in singles Li Xuerui has 14 Superseries titles in her kitty. She is also a former Olympic gold medalist. Known for her attacking stance, she ruled the badminton scene before an injury at the Rio Olympics interrupted her career. She retired from international badminton in 2019.

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 19 
Liliyana Natsir
(Badminton player)
Liliyana Natsir
13
Birthdate: September 9, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 20 
Fu Haifeng
(Badminton player)
Fu Haifeng
6
Birthdate: August 23, 1983
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jieyang, Guangdong, China

Former badminton player Fu Haifeng is known as one of the most successful men’s doubles players in history. Along with partner Cai Yun, he has earned an Olympic gold. The duo is also the only doubles pair with four world titles and was named to BWF's Hall of Fame.

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 21 
Xie Xingfang
(Badminton player)
Xie Xingfang
8
Birthdate: January 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Retired badminton player Xie Xingfang is a former singles number one and a two-time world champion. She has won countless medals, including an Olympic silver, an Asian Games gold, and a World Cup gold. She was also known for her high-profile relationship with badminton sensation Lin Dan.

 22 
Rudy Hartono
(Badminton player)
Rudy Hartono
5
Birthdate: August 18, 1949
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
 23 
Zhang Nan
(Badminton player)
Zhang Nan
6
Birthdate: March 1, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Beijing, China

Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Zhang Nan mostly won games in mixed doubles with his partner Zhao Yunlei. He has won medals in all major events, such as the Sudirman Cup and the Asian Games. Post-retirement, he became a doubles coach and was then made the chairman of the CBA.

 24 
Markis Kido
(Badminton player)
Markis Kido
4
Birthdate: August 11, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
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 25 
Ratchanok Intanon
(Badminton player)
Ratchanok Intanon
7
Birthdate: February 5, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Yasothon, Nai Mueang, Thailand
 26 
Taufik Hidayat
(Badminton player)
Taufik Hidayat
5
Birthdate: August 10, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
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 27 
Liem Swie King
(Badminton player)
Liem Swie King
3
Birthdate: February 28, 1956
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kudus Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
 28 
Son Wan-ho
(Badminton player)
Son Wan-ho
5
Birthdate: May 17, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
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 29 
Lee Yong-dae
(Badminton player)
Lee Yong-dae
12
Birthdate: September 11, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hwasun, South Jeolla, South Korea
 30 
Loh Kean Yew
(Badminton player)
Loh Kean Yew
8
Birthdate: June 26, 1997
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Penang, Malaysia
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 31 
Jan O. Jorgensen
(Badminton player)
Jan O. Jorgensen
6
Birthdate: December 31, 1987
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Svenstrup, Aalborg Municipality, Denmark
 32 
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
(Badminton player)
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
6
Birthdate: October 20, 1996
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia
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 33 
Chen Yufei
(Badminton player)
Chen Yufei
5
Birthdate: March 1, 1998
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Named to the Forbes list of 30 Under 30 in Entertainment and Sports, from Asia, Chen Yufei was inspired to take up badminton while watching the 2008 Olympics as a 10-year-old. Now an Olympic gold medalist herself, she also has tons of other medals in her kitty, including two Sudirman Cup gold medals.

 34 
Zhang Ning
(Badminton player)
Zhang Ning
3
Birthdate: May 19, 1975
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jinzhou, Liaoning, China

Zhang Ning is a Chinese retired professional badminton player who won the gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, becoming the only female badminton player to win successive Olympic singles gold medals. A three-time winner at Asian Games, Zhang Ning has also represented China in international competitions like the Sudirman Cup and Uber Cup.

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 35 
Wang Yihan
(Silver Medalist Badminton player at the 2012 Summer Olympics)
Wang Yihan
7
Birthdate: January 18, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Shanghai, China
 36 
Shi Yuqi
(Badminton player)
Shi Yuqi
5
Birthdate: February 28, 1996
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nantong, Jiangsu, China

Chinese badminton sensation Shi Yuqi upset champion Lin Dan to reach the finals of the All England Open in 2017 and won the tournament in 2018. In 2016, he won his first French Super Series title. His wins also include a gold at the 2018 Asian Games and the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

 37 
Saina Nehwal
(The First Indian Badminton Player to Have Won an Olympic Medal)
Saina Nehwal
54
Birthdate: March 17, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hisar, Haryana, India

A former world no.1, Saina Nehwal holds the feat of being the only Indian female player and overall the second Indian player to achieve this ranking. She is the first Indian female to have bagged in an Olympic medal in badminton. She was also awarded India's third highest civillian award, the Padma Bhushan.

 

 38 
Akane Yamaguchi
(Badminton player)
Akane Yamaguchi
4
Birthdate: June 6, 1997
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Katsuyama, Fukui, Japan
 39 
Tony Gunawan
(American Former Badminton Player)
Tony Gunawan
4
Birthdate: April 9, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
 40 
Jwala Gutta
(Arjuna Award-Winning Indian Badminton Star)
Jwala Gutta
23
Birthdate: September 7, 1983
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Wardha, Maharashtra, India

A 2-time Olympian, Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta was born to a Chinese mother and an Indian father and began training under Padma Shri-winning coach S. M. Arif at age 6. She is an 8-time South Asian Games gold medalist and a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner.

 41 
Li Shifeng
(Chinese Badminton Player)
Li Shifeng
3
Birthdate: January 9, 2000
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
 42 
Alan Budikusuma
(Badminton player)
Alan Budikusuma
3
Birthdate: March 29, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
 43 
Greysia Polii
(Badminton player)
Greysia Polii
4
Birthdate: August 11, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
 44 
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon
(Badminton player)
Marcus Fernaldi Gideon
5
Birthdate: March 9, 1991
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
 45 
Jonatan Christie
(Badminton player)
Jonatan Christie
4
Birthdate: September 15, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jakarta, Indonesia
 46 
Cai Yun
(Badminton player)
Cai Yun
4
Birthdate: January 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

Cai Yun is a Chinese retired professional badminton player who specialized in the men's doubles event. A four-time World Championship winner, Cai also won silver and gold medal in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, respectively. Considered the greatest men's doubles player ever, Cai Yun also won six Sudirman Cups and five Thomas Cups during his illustrious playing career.

 47 
Xia Xuanze
(Badminton player)
Xia Xuanze
4
Birthdate: January 5, 1979
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Rui'an, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

Xia Xuanze is a Chinese former professional badminton player best known for winning the bronze medal in men's singles at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. The 2003 World Championship winner, Xia also has two Thomas Cups and an Asia Championship title under his belt. After retiring as a player, Xia went on to become a coach for the national team.

 48 
Wang Shixian
(Chinese Former Professional Badminton Player)
Wang Shixian
4
Birthdate: February 13, 1990
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Suzhou, China

Wang Shixian is a Chinese former professional badminton player. A former World No. 1, Wang won three gold medals at Asian Games. She also won the Sudirman Cup on three occasions. 

 49 
Chou Tien-chen
(Badminton player)
Chou Tien-chen
5
Birthdate: January 8, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan
 50 
Mohammad Ahsan
(Badminton player)
Mohammad Ahsan
7
Birthdate: September 7, 1987
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia