Who is the best badminton player in the world right now? A top 10 list

Who is the best badminton player in the world right now? A top 10 list

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM

And while people are used to seeing soccer or basketball listicles, SportsBrief has compiled a list of the best badminton players in the world as of 2023. Not so many people talk about the sport; however, it can undoubtedly be quoted as among the most popular games, with millions of fans worldwide following it.

Best badminton players in the world as of 2023
Who is the best badminton player in the world right now? A top 10 list. Photo: Eskay Lim (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

One intriguing fact about the game is that it has seen dominance by most Asian teams and some European countries like Denmark and Sweden. That said, most of the best players come from these territories.

Top 10 best badminton players in the world

Being an Olympic sport, badminton boasts some of the best athletes in the world. These athletes have impressively showcased their skill sets on the international stage for high stakes. According to various online sources, here are some of the world's best badminton players of all time.

10. Han Aiping

Han Aiping was an icon for China and the badminton world, especially in the women's game and ranked among the greats in the 1980s. She was known for her skilful overhead stroke and vision, and only a few players could handle her.

During her career days, she stacked several titles to her name, including winning five times World Champions, 5 World Cups, and 2 Asian Games. The legendary athlete died at the age of 74.

Full name

Han Aiping

Date of birth

22 April 1962

Age

Died at the age of 57 as of January 2023

Years active

1978 to 1989

Career records

21 wins and 4 losses

Handedness

Right

9. Peter Hoeg Gade

Malaysia's best badminton player
Peter Hoeg Gade competes in the Men's singles semifinals match against Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on 24 September 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Koki Nagahama
Source: Getty Images

Hailing from Denmark, Peter Hoeg retired in 2012 after topping the World ranking chart consecutively from 1998 to 2001. He was regarded as one of the most iconic badminton players in the world.

But in his case, he was born into a family of badminton players. Therefore, he must have followed in his parent's footsteps to win several awards he has won. With his shelf filled with success, he is considered among the world's best badminton players of all time.

Full name

Peter Hoeg Gade

Date of birth

14 December 1976

Age

46 years old as of January 2023

Years active

1994 to 2012

Career records

517 wins and 155 losses

Handedness

Right

8. Li Lingwei

Best badminton players right now
Lingwei Li looks on during the Women's Javelin Throw qualifying round on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on 16 August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

Another female star who braced the badminton world is Li Lingwei, who has led China into uncountable glories. Li is renowned for being a three-time gold champion, winning the World Cup seven times, Asina games two times, and the Uber Cup three times.

Additionally, Lingwei was selected as the vice president of the 2016 Chinese Olympic Committee. So, Li could have caught the list of the world's best badminton players of all time.

Full name

Li Lingwei

Date of birth

4 January 1964

Age

59 years old

Years active

1980 to 1989

Career records

30 wins and 2 losses

Handedness

Right

7. Liem Swei King

Liem Swei king was one of those few players worth watching with eyes focused on him alone. Besides, this player was included in the Hall of Fame in 2002, and his work ethic made him a respected and honoured player.

Aside from his career as a badminton player, he also ventured into the entertainment industry featuring in a short film, King. In the movie, Liem displays his life and how he came to a turning point where he is right now.

Full name

Liem Swei King

Date of birth

28 February 1956

Age

66 years old

Years active

14 wins and 3 losses

Career records

14 wins and 3 losses

Handedness

Right

6. Rudy Hartono

Best badminton players in the world as of 2023
Rudy Hartono in the final of the men's singles tournament to become champion at the 1973 All England Open Championships at Wembley Arena in London on 24 March 1973. Photo: Rolls Press
Source: Getty Images

Rudy Hartono is a former renowned badminton player who was well-decorated during his time. He won the Men's Singles title at the prestigious All England Championship seven times consecutively from 1968 to 1974 and a World Championship in 1980.

Full name

Rudy Hartono

Date of birth

18 August 1949

Age

73 years old as of January 2023

Years active

1965 to 1982

Career records

15 wins and 4 losses

Handedness

Right

5. Tony Gunawan

Indian's best badminton players
Tony Gunawan (L) and Halim Heryanto of Indonesia celebrate with the trophy after winning the Mens Doubles title at the Yonex All England Championships in Birmingham. Photo: John Gichigi
Source: Getty Images

Tony Gunawan was a former Indo-American badminton player renowned for winning a gold medal in the Olympics and was the World champion of Indonesia and the United States of America.

He is regarded as the best doubles player in the history of badminton. Besides, he dominated the stage with honours such as the 2000 Olympic Gold and the 2001/2005 IBF World Championships with three men's doubles partners.

Full name

Tony Gunawan

Date of birth

9 April 1975

Age

47 years old as of January 2023

Years active

1992 to 2001

Career records

501 wins and 163 losses

Handedness

Right hand

4. Taufik Hidayat

World's best badminton player of all time
Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in action at Pavilion 3 in the Olympic Park on Day Three of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

Taufik Hidayat is among the best Indonesian badminton players and the fastest smash, with a record of 305 km/hr. His fans often adore him for his magical plays and the strategic skills he often displays while holding that shuttlecock.

Full name

Taufik Hidayat

Date of birth

10 August 1981

Age

41 years old as of January 2023

Years active

1996 to 2014

Career records

413 wins and 138 losses

Handedness

Right

3. Gao Ling

World's best badminton players
Huang Sul and Gao Ling of China celebrate with the trophy after winning the Womens Doubles title at the Yonex All England Championships in Birmingham. Photo: John Gichigi
Source: Getty Images

At the 3rd position sits the greatest YONEX All-England Champions today, and one of the most successful doubles players in the history of China and women's badminton. Consequently, this names four medals to her name.

She had such a decorated career that she became a role model to many women who wanted to be like her.

Full name

Gao Ling

Date of birth

14 March 1979

Age

43 years old as of January 2023

Career records

611 wins and 128 losses

Years active

1993 to 2009

Handedness

Right

Is Lee Chong Wei the best badminton player?

2. Lee Chong Wei

Well, although Lee Chong does not take the first position on the list, he is still regarded as Malaysia's best badminton player as of 2023. Lee Chong is renowned for being a triple Olympic silver medalist in the Men's Singles event in the year 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Additionally, Lee Chong has dominated the Asian badminton championship. Malacca governor Moha Khalil Yaakob dubbed the legendary player Datuk Wira.

Full name

Lee Chong Wei

Date of birth

14 October 1983 as of January 2023

Age

39 years old

Years active

2000 to 2020

Career records

662 wins and 131 losses

Handedness

Left

1. Lin Dan

Indian's best badminton players
Dan Lin attends the premiere of Universal Pictures Easter Sunday at TCL Chinese Theatre on 2 August 2022 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Unique Nicole
Source: Getty Images

And now to the world's best badminton player of all time, meet Lin Dan, who at just 21 was nicknamed Super Dan, thanks to the skills he portrayed and won a gold medal. He is a two-time gold medalist, five-time world champion, and six-time All-England champion with 666 career wins.

Full name

Lin Dan

Date of birth

14 October 1983

Age

39 years old as of January 2023

Years active

2000 to 2020

Career records

666 wins and 131 losses

Handedness

Left

Even though this list ranks some of the best badminton players in the world, it does not insinuate that they are the only prestigious players. On the contrary, there are some great up-and-coming badminton players such as Lee Yong-Dae, Akane Yamaguchi, and PV Sindhu.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.