Top 10 major upsets in badminton in 2023

Published at :January 1, 2024 at 2:46 AM

Modified at :February 6, 2024 at 6:05 PM

HS Prannoy’s stunning win over World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen was among the biggest upsets.

The year 2023 was a roller-coaster ride for badminton fans, as they witnessed some thrilling matches and stunning upsets. South Korea emerged as a powerhouse, with An Se Young dominating the women’s singles and Seo Seung Jae shining in both men’s and mixed doubles.

India also had a memorable year, as Satwik-Chirag became the first Indian pair to win a Super 1000 title. Viktor Axelsen was the most consistent player in the men’s singles, but he also faced some tough challenges from lower-ranked players.

However, the year also saw some of the big names in badminton fall to unexpected defeats. Here are the 10 major upsets in badminton in 2023.

Major upsets in badminton in 2023

10. Huang/ Zheng lost to Seo Seung/ Chae (BWF World Championship)

In a surprising turn of events at the BWF World Championship 2023, the formidable duo of Huang and Zheng suffered a defeat against Seo Seung and Chae. The match saw Seo Seung and Chae emerging victorious with a score of 21-17, 10, 21-18.

This unexpected outcome has certainly sent ripples through the badminton circuit, marking it as a significant upset in the tournament. The South Korean duo defeated the No. 1 seeds in a three-set thriller.

9. Viktor Axelsen lost to H.S Prannoy (BWF World Championship)

In a stunning turn of events, India’s top-ranked men’s singles player, HS Prannoy, staged a remarkable comeback to topple the reigning champion, Viktor Axelsen, in the quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Prannoy, trailing after the first game with a score of 13-21, rallied to clinch the next two games with scores of 21-15 and 21-16 respectively. This unexpected victory not only assured Prannoy his maiden World Championships medal but also marked him as the fifth Indian men’s singles player to achieve this feat.

8. Liang/Wang lost to Astrup/Rasmussen (BWF World Championship)

The Danish duo of Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen triumphed over Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang at the World Championships. Despite losing the first game 17-21, Astrup and Rasmussen made a thrilling comeback to win the next two games 21-18 and 21-19.

The victory adds to their impressive performance in 2023, as Astrup and Rasmussen have also clinched two BWF World Tour Super 500 tournaments.

7. Feng/Huang lost to Christiansen/Boje (BWF World Championship)

In a surprising turn of events, the badminton duo Christiansen and Boje from Denmark defeated the Chinese pair Feng and Huang in the round of 16. Despite being the favorites, the Chinese pair couldn’t secure a win and lost the match in straight games 21-18, 21-15.

6. PV Sindhu lost to Goh Jin Wei (BWF Sudirman Cup Finals)

In the 2023 BWF Sudirman Cup Finals, Goh Jin Wei triumphed over PV Sindhu with scores of 14-21, 21-10, 22-20. This win by ensured Malaysia’s advancement to the quarterfinals. Goh, 23, managed to turn the tables and defeat the former world champion in a span of 53 minutes.

Post-match, Sindhu expressed her disappointment, citing her significant point deficit in the third game as the reason.

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5. Feng/Huang lost to Yamashita/ Shinoyo (BWF Sudirman Cup Finals)

In a thrilling match, the Japanese pair of Yamashita Kyohei and Shinoya Naru emerged victorious against Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping. The match scores read 26-24, 18-21, and 24-22, showcasing a closely fought contest.

4. Viktor Axelsen lost to NG Tze Yong (All England Open)

In a stunning upset, Ng Tze Yong defeated Viktor Axelsen in a thrilling match. This marked Axelsen’s fourth loss in 61 matches this season, with the final score being 15-21 21-9 21-23. Overwhelmed by his victory, Tze Yong struggled to grasp the magnitude of his achievement during post-match interviews, seemingly taken aback by the ensuing attention.

3. Liang/ Wang lost to Kusumawardana/Rambitan (Indonesia Open 2023)

In a thrilling showdown at the Indonesia Open 2023, the Indonesian duo of Kusumawardana and Rambitan emerged victorious against the Chinese pair of Liang and Wang. The match was a rollercoaster of skill and strategy, with the Indonesian pair making a remarkable comeback after losing the first game 16-21.

They turned the tide in the second game, winning 21-17, and continued their momentum into the final game, clinching it 21-19.

2. Carolina Marin lost to Aya Ohori (French Open)

In a thrilling quarter-final match at the French Open 2023, Japanese badminton player Aya Ohori emerged victorious against Spain’s Carolina Marin. The intense match saw Ohori defeat Marin with a score of 21-18 in both games.

1. Loh Kean Yew lost to Christo Popov (Singapore Open)

Christo Popov, ranked 35th in the world, defeated Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion from Singapore in straight games. With calmness and courage, Popov overcame the loud cheers of the 4,800 fans at the Indoor Stadium and beat the Singaporean number one 21-10, 23-21.

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