The Best Badminton Players in the World at the moment

Badminton is a sport that has grown massively in the last few years. The contributions of several organizations and badminton players have led to this significant growth of badminton. The top badminton players have influenced the masses, leading to the extension of the sport. The Badminton World Federation (BWF), an organization approved by the Olympic Committee, has also played a notable role in widening the realm of the sport. Additionally, many international badminton players have played major roles in building the sport globally. Some big names in the game are Anders Antonsen, Naraoka Kodai, Carolina Marin, and Han Yue.

In India, P.V. Sindhu has made one of the biggest contributions towards increasing the country’s fanbase for badminton. She is recognized as one of the top badminton players in the world. Badminton is a very dynamic sport and whether it is men’s or women’s, singles or doubles, these top players have been vital in inspiring fans and setting a benchmark for the game. 

Here, are the current Top 10 Badminton Players in the World in no particular order:-

1. Shi Yuqi– China’s Shi Yuqi is considered to be the best badminton player in the world. He has been part of the Chinese badminton team since his youth. Yuqi started his professional career at a young age and won many trophies in Asian competitions. The 28-year-old faced several ups and downs in his career, including a 10-month ban after an incident that took place in the Thomas Cup. However, Yuqi has redeemed himself by showcasing his brilliance since his return.
2. Anders Antonsen– The Danish badminton player, Anders Antonsen was born on 27th April 1997. He has a career record of 343 wins and only 115 losses. Anderson has represented Denmark in various badminton single championships as well as in Denmark’s badminton team. His current ranking in the list of the best badminton players is 2. Additionally, Anderson won two major trophies in 2024, one being the men’s singles European Championship and the other being the European men’s team Championship.
3. P.V. Sindhu– Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, known as P.V. Sindhu is India’s best female badminton player at the moment. She was born on 5th July, in Hyderabad. Sindhu has represented India on the international stage and has won several competitions. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she became the first Indian female to win a Gold medal. Moreover, she led the Indian women’s badminton team to a gold medal in the Badminton Asia Team Championship held in February 2024. Her current record stands at 464 wins and 205 losses. Sindhu has been an inspiration for many youngsters in India and she has gathered a love for badminton among the masses. 
4. Han Yue– Han Yue is a famous badminton player from China. She started a badminton career at a young age, winning many junior championships. Han is one of the world’s top 10 women badminton players according to the BWF’s ranking. As of December 2024, she stands 5th in the list. The 26-year-old reached the World Tour finals last year but unfortunately lost to Z.Y. Wang. Han Yue is known for her tactical abilities on the court and she continues to be an important part of China’s success in this field.
5. Carolina Marin– Spain’s prominent badminton star, Carolina Marin was born on 15th June 1993. The 31-year-old is an Olympic Champion and has won the European title eight times as well. Carolina stood 1st in BWF’s ranking of the top 10 female badminton players for 66 weeks. Initially being a flamenco dancer, badminton was never part of her plan. However, after being introduced to the sport she fell in love with it and the rest is history. The Spanish champion has a massive record of 511 wins and 143 losses. In 2024, she was given the Princess of Asturias Award for her remarkable bequest in sports.
6. Naraoka Kodai– Japanese badminton player, Naraoka Kodai started his badminton journey at the age of 5. He won several junior championships including the 2018 Youth Olympics. The 23-year-old has a record of 231 wins and 100 losses at the moment. Kodai has represented Japan in men’s singles badminton competitions as well as the men’s team. His journey has taken a kick-start and it will be exciting to see how his future in badminton unfolds.
7. Lakshya Sen– Lakshya Sen left a mark on the Indian sports fandom after his significant Olympics run last year. Although he did not go on to win a medal, his performance throughout the tournament was exceptional. In 2017, he stood first in the World’s Junior ranking. Lakshya has been commendable in recent years and has represented India in multiple competitions. His current career record stands at 252 wins and 111 losses. Lakshya’s aggressive style of play and brilliant footwork have been top-class. He has made India proud several times, and there is hope that he will continue to bring glory to the country.
8. Lee Zii Jia– Lee Zii Jia is a Malaysian badminton player. At 26 years old he is regarded as the best badminton player of his generation. Lee won the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics held last year. The youngster is known for his agility and physical ability on the court. His brilliance has been paramount in promoting badminton in Malaysia. 
9. Viktor Axelsen– Viktor Axelsen is a profound badminton player from Denmark. The Danish man has won two World championships and four European championships. He has also won two consecutive Olympic titles, recently held at Tokyo in 2021 and Paris in 2024. Viktor also held the 1st place in BWF’s ranking for 183 weeks. However, as of August 2024, he stands 3rd. Viktor is regarded as the best badminton player in the world for his smashes. 
10. Loh Kean Yew– Malaysian-born badminton player, Loh Kean Yew, has represented Singapore at the international level after becoming a Singaporean citizen. The  27-year-old is known for his powerful smashes and strategic game style. His career record is 212 wins and 141 losses at the moment. He has been significant in uplifting badminton in Singapore.

These top badminton players have been listed in no particular order, however, all of them have significantly contributed to the growth of the sport. They continue to inspire fans worldwide, increasing their love for badminton globally.