Update: Strongest Country In Badminton 2020
The badminton scene has certainly changed in the last 15 years or so. When I first started watching badminton, there were many elite players from all over the world. However the strongest nations were clearly Asian, and the nation which stood out the most was China.
China has dominated the world of badminton for several decades, boasting the most amount of wins in the Thomas and Uber cup competitions. In addition, they have won the most Olympic medals of any nation in the sport and produced arguably the best players of every generation.
However, now there has been an obvious shift in the dominance of China. It’s not necessarily that China is weaker than before. Other nations seem to have caught up. Now there is a much more even spread of nations capable of winning every tournament.
Following on from this, let’s see which nations are currently the strongest nations in the badminton world. This list is based on current world rankings and also some subjective observations.
The Strongest Nations
1. China
Despite the above, China has still held its own against the rising challengers. With the retirement of a few key players such as Wang Yihan, Zhao Yunlei and Fu Haifeng (to name a few!), there was a teething period in which the next generation would need to prove themselves.
And they certainly have. While some of the old guard are still fighting on, such as Lin Dan, Chen Long and Zhang Nan, the new generation are certainly making a name for themselves. Not least the mixed doubles pairing of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong who are absolutely dominating the World Tour. In women’s doubles, Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan are carrying on China’s strong tradition in this discipline.
Their weakest discipline is arguably women’s singles. Even though they have two athletes in the top ten, who are by no means weak players (Chen Yufei recently taking the All England Title), it happens to be at a time when the Women’s Single’s discipline is incredibly competitive.
Nevertheless, their ability to lose a number of key players and still be as strong as they are shows a great depth to the squad and also the successful development of the younger generation who have come through and certainly taken up the mantle.
2. Japan
There’s no doubt in my mind that Japan is equal to China and should rightfully be considered one of the strongest nations. They only come second in this list because China has won more titles so far this year in the HSBC World Tour (only by one!). Both have the same number of singles and doubles players in the top ten of the world rankings.
Japan was never a weak team but previously didn’t hold the same accolades as some of the other Asian nations. However, now they are real contenders to make a number of legends in the sport. I attribute this rise to prominence almost exclusively to Park Joo Bong.
Since becoming the Japanese head coach in 2004, he has completely stamped his authority in creating and developing players in his image. His experience and coaching methods have certainly been the key to Japan’s successful rise in elite badminton. Just to demonstrate the current state of Japanese badminton:
- In men’s singles, Kento Momota is well on his way to being one of the games greatest players.
- In the women’s singles, Nozomi Okuhara and Akane Yamaguchi are flying the flag for their country.
- Two pairs in the men’s doubles in Sonoda and Kamura, Endo and Watanabe.
- Four pairs in the top ten of women’s doubles with 3 of those pairs occupying the top three places.
- In mixed doubles, Watanabe and Higashino are ranked three in the world
There’s little doubt that Japan is certainly one of the most dominant nations in badminton today.
3. Indonesia
Indonesia has such an amazing history in badminton. It’s almost a religion out there and their fans are absolutely mental about the sport! With the exception of 2012, they have won a Gold Medal every Olympics since badminton was inaugurated in the Olympics in 1992.
Traditionally, their strengths have been in men’s doubles, something which continues today with the “minions” and “daddies.” Aka Sukamoljo & Gideon and Ahsan & Setiawan. Also the younger pairing of Alfian & Ardianto. Since Taufik Hidayat, there was a period where there wasn’t really an Indonesian men’s singles player to challenge for top place. However, now there is Anthony Ginting and Jonathan Christie in the top ten.
In women’s doubles, they have the pairing of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu who are currently ranked number 5 in the world. In mixed doubles, even with the retirement of Liliyana Natsir and Debby Susanto recently, they still have two pairs in the top ten in Praveen Jordan & Melati Daeva Oktavianti and Hafiz Faizal & Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
Women’s singles is by far their weakest discipline currently. Although they have improving player Gregoria Mariska Tunjung at number 16 in the world, she has yet to stamp her authority and break into the top ten. Bearing in mind she’s only 19 she has a bright future!
4. Korea
This might be surprising to some! Especially after a number of high profile names such as Lee Yong Dae, Ko Sung Hyun, Kim Ha-Na and Kim Sa Rang all retried fairly recently.
However, Korea still has a fairly strong presence, having one representative in at least four of the disciplines. Surprisingly their biggest weakness is men’s doubles, in which they have an extremely proud tradition. In fact, there aren’t any Korean Men’s doubles pairs in the top 25 in the world! With Lee Yong Dae, Kim Ji Jung, Ko Sung Hyun and Shin Baek Cheol all making a return to competitive badminton, perhaps this will change in the not too distant future.
5. Chinese Taipei/Thailand
What?! No Malaysia?! No Denmark?! This list is determined by who has the best all-around squad. Both Chinese Taipei and Thailand have a representative across three different disciplines. Whereas the other nations mentioned above have only representatives in 2 disciplines.
Tai Tzu Ying spearheads Chinese Taipei’s national team. Shes is currently the best female player in the world at the moment at the top of the rankings. Chou Tien Chen is also 5th in the men’s singles and in the men’s doubles Chen Hung Ling and Wang Chi-Lin are holding their own in men’s doubles, ranked 7.
Thailand, another rapidly improving nations, is also spearheaded by a women’s singles player in Ratchanok Intanon. They are also highly ranked in mixed doubles in Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai and in women’s doubles by Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai.
Honourable Mentions
Malaysia: You might be surprised to not see Malaysia up there. They are only really represented in the Mixed Doubles by Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon. Even in men’s doubles, although they have an established Olympic Silver medallist pair, Tan Wee Kiong and Goh V Shem have been struggling for form and are currently sat just outside the top ten (14). Of course, they’re also missing Lee Chong Wei through his recent personal troubles, from which he is recovering well.
Denmark: The only European team really capable of being considered among the strongest nations. Victor Axelson is their biggest name currently but also have strong representation in men’s doubles in Astrup and Rasmussen. Since the retirement of Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Christina Pedersen (who played mixed and women’s more recently), their strength in both these categories has fallen tremendously. Were they still playing, Denmark certainly would have been in the top 5.
India: While Indian badminton has certainly grown massively over the past decade, they have shone most brightly in the singles disciplines. Obviously, PV Sindu and Saina Nehwal have been leading the charge and other talents such as Srikanth Kidambi have followed suit. But they currently lacking strength in their doubles disciplines.
Conclusion
So there you have it. the best countries in the world right now! Of course, this is based on the BWF ranking system which will change depending on Tournament Performances by each nations players. However, as it currently stands, this is what I believe should be the strongest nations overall. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments if not and why!
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