As the current badminton season draws to a close, fans and players alike are already looking forward to the next one. With intense training and preparation underway, it is an exciting time for fans to witness the top players in action once again. From singles to doubles, the world of badminton is filled with talented athletes who constantly push the boundaries of the sport. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the top players to watch out for in the upcoming badminton season.
Top Male Players to Watch
- Kento Momota
At just 26 years old, Kento Momota has already made a name for himself as one of the best male badminton players in the world. He currently holds the top spot in the men’s singles ranking and has been dominating the court for the past few seasons. In the 2019 season, he won the All England Open, the BWF World Tour Finals, and the BWF World Championships, cementing his position as the top player to watch out for in the next season.
- Viktor Axelsen
Viktor Axelsen from Denmark is another player that has consistently performed well in the international circuit. He has won multiple titles, including the BWF World Championships in 2017 and the European Championships in 2018. In the 2019 season, he was also able to secure a silver medal at the BWF World Championships, proving that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the men’s singles category.
- Chou Tien-chen
Chou Tien-chen from Taiwan has also been making waves in the badminton scene, especially in the past couple of seasons. He reached a career-high ranking of number two in 2020 and has consistently been performing well in major tournaments. In the 2019 season, he won the Indonesia Open and reached the finals of the BWF World Tour Finals. With his strong gameplay and determination, he is definitely a top player to watch out for in the next season.
- Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
Indonesian shuttler Anthony Sinisuka Ginting has been steadily climbing up the rankings in the past few years. He had an impressive run in the 2019 season, reaching the finals of the prestigious All England Open and securing a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships. His quick footwork and powerful shots make him a formidable opponent on the court, and fans can expect more great performances from him in the upcoming season.
- Anders Antonsen
Danish player Anders Antonsen is another rising star in the men’s singles category. In the 2019 season, he won the prestigious China Open and reached the semi-finals of the BWF World Championships. He also achieved a career-high ranking of number four in 2020. At just 23 years old, he has already shown great potential and will be one to watch in the next badminton season.
Top Female Players to Watch
- Tai Tzu-ying
Tai Tzu-ying from Taiwan has been dominating the women’s singles category for several years now. She has consistently held the top spot in the rankings since 2016 and has won numerous titles, including the BWF World Championships in 2018 and the Asian Games in 2018. In the 2019 season, she also won the Malaysia Masters and reached the finals of the Singapore Open. With her incredible speed and skill on the court, she is definitely a top player to watch out for in the next season.
- Nozomi Okuhara
Japanese shuttler Nozomi Okuhara has been a consistent performer in the women’s singles category for the past few years. She has won several titles, including the BWF World Championships in 2017 and the Japan Open in 2019. In the 2019 season, she also reached the finals of the All England Open and the BWF World Tour Finals. Her tenacity and never-give-up attitude make her a fan favorite, and fans can expect to see more great performances from her in the next season.
- Chen Yufei
Chen Yufei from China is another top player to watch out for in the women’s singles category. She had a stellar 2019 season, winning the BWF World Championships and reaching the finals of the All England Open and the BWF World Tour Finals. At just 23 years old, she has already achieved so much and will definitely be a strong contender in the upcoming season.
- Carolina Marin
Spanish shuttler Carolina Marin has been a prominent figure in women’s singles badminton for many years now. She has won multiple titles, including the Olympic gold medal in 2016 and the BWF World Championships in 2018. After recovering from a knee injury in 2019, she made a strong comeback in the 2020 season, winning the Thailand Masters and reaching the finals of the Malaysia Masters. With her fierce determination and powerful gameplay, she is definitely a top player to watch out for in the next season.
- Akane Yamaguchi
Another Japanese player that has been consistently performing well in the women’s singles category is Akane Yamaguchi. In the 2019 season, she reached the finals of the All England Open, the Singapore Open, and the BWF World Tour Finals. She also won the Indonesian Masters and the German Open that year. With her agility and speed on the court, she is definitely a top player to keep an eye on in the next badminton season.
Rising Stars in Badminton
- An Se-young
An Se-young from South Korea is a rising star in the women’s singles category. At just 18 years old, she has already achieved a career-high ranking of number nine and has been consistently performing well in major tournaments. In the 2019 season, she reached the semi-finals of the BWF World Championships and won the French Open. With her strong gameplay and determination, she is definitely a player to watch out for in the next season.
- Lakshya Sen
Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has also been making waves in the badminton world. He has won multiple titles in the junior circuit and has now transitioned into the senior level with ease. In the 2019 season, he won the SaarLorLux Open and reached the finals of the Dutch Open. With his quick footwork and powerful shots, he is definitely a player to keep an eye on in the men’s singles category in the upcoming season.
- Anupama Upadhyaya
Another Indian player to watch out for is Anupama Upadhyaya, who has been steadily climbing up the rankings in the women’s singles category. At just 19 years old, she has shown great potential and has already secured a bronze medal at the U19 Asian Championships in 2019. In the same year, she also reached the semi-finals of the India International Series. With her hard work and dedication, she is definitely one to watch in the next badminton season.
Players with Potential Upsets
- Tommy Sugiarto
Indonesian shuttler Tommy Sugiarto may not be among the top players in terms of rankings, but he has proven time and again that he is capable of causing upsets. In the 2019 season, he reached the quarter-finals of the All England Open and the BWF World Championships. He also won the Canadian Open and the US Open that year. With his experience and strong gameplay, he is definitely a player to watch out for in the next season.
- Zhang Beiwen
American shuttler Zhang Beiwen may not be among the top-ranked players, but she has consistently performed well and caused upsets in the women’s singles category. In the 2019 season, she reached the semi-finals of the BWF World Tour Finals and won the India Open. She also secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships in 2018. With her grit and determination, she can definitely cause some surprises in the upcoming badminton season.
- Lee Zii Jia
Malaysian shuttler Lee Zii Jia is another player who has the potential to cause upsets in the men’s singles category. In the 2019 season, he reached the finals of the New Zealand Open and won the Vietnam Open. He also secured a bronze medal at the SEA Games in the same year. With his powerful smashes and quick movement on the court, he is definitely a player to watch out for in the next season.
Conclusion
The world of badminton is filled with talented athletes who constantly push the boundaries of the sport. In the upcoming season, fans can expect to see intense matches and great performances from the top players mentioned above. Along with the rising stars and players with potential upsets, it will surely be an exciting season for all badminton enthusiasts. So mark your calendars and get ready to witness some thrilling badminton action in the next season.
