Top five breakthrough performers in badminton in 2023

An Se Young has won a total of ten titles, marking the highest ever in women’s singles category in a calendar year.

In a year filled with remarkable badminton performances, the World Championships and Asian Games emerged as pivotal battlegrounds where stars shone brightly. Among the standout players, HS Prannoy, Li Shi Feng, Kodai Naraoka, and Gregoria Mariska Tunjung seized the spotlight, displaying unprecedented determination and skill.

However, it was An Se Young’s astounding breakthrough that stole headlines, rewriting history by winning 10 titles in women’s singles—setting a record for the highest number of titles won in a single year in that category. These breakthrough performances not only captivated fans but also left an indelible mark on the badminton landscape, showcasing the immense talent and tenacity within the sport.

List of the top five breakthrough performers of the year 2023

Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning

Liu Sheng Shu, fresh off her World Junior Championships win, teamed up with Tan Ning to claim the Malaysia International Series 2022 title. The young duo swiftly ascended in their debut HSBC BWF World Tour season. Securing their inaugural World Tour victory in Madrid, merely a day before Tan Ning’s 20th birthday (while her partner Liu was still 19), marked a significant breakthrough.

Their momentum surged with three additional titles, notably the Super 750 in France, propelling the Chinese pair to conclude the year at No.8. Their impressive debut also saw them reach the semifinals in the BWF World Tour Finals. They clinched victories at the Arctic Open Super 500 and US Open Super 300 while securing runner-up positions at the Orleans Masters and Japan Masters.

HS Prannoy

From outside the top 30s in late 2021, Prannoy’s ascent into the top 10 has been an exceptional achievement. Though always a formidable opponent for top-tier players, consistent runs and title victories had eluded him. The Malaysia Masters 2023 marked a significant turning point as Prannoy secured his first title in six years, a momentous achievement boosting his confidence. He finished as runner-up at Australian Open 2023 as well.

This new-found confidence propelled him to clinch his first World Championships medal by defeating the reigning World and Olympics champion, Viktor Axelsen. This marked India’s second-ever World Championships medal from men’s singles category. He continued his form to win a historic bronze medal for India at Asian Games after 41 years of drought at the men’s singles sector.

Gregoria Mariska Tunjung

Gregoria Mariska Tunjung’s remarkable victory over Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei at the Japan Masters final etched history, marking he the first Indonesian women’s singles player to secure a Super 500 or higher title since the Superseries inception in 2007. Despite having beaten Chen twice in nine encounters previously, the final witnessed the Olympic champion struggling against Tunjung’s near-flawless performance. Especially in the second game, Tunjung dominated, claiming 11 of the last 12 points, ultimately leading to her historic triumph.

She won her first Super 300 title at Madrid this year, as well, when she upset former world champion PV Sindhu for the first time in their eighth meeting.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn

Despite six previous defeats against Viktor Axelsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn discovered the winning formula in the India Open final. Mastering defensive strategies and seizing crucial moments for precise attacks, he showcased his prowess, securing a comeback victory against the world No.1. This triumph served as a catalyst, propelling him to later clinch the World Championships gold in the year. He became the first Thai men’s singles shuttler to become World Champion in 46 years.

Li Shi Feng

Li Shi Feng, a promising men’s singles prospect from China, faced a slump in rankings, dropping outside the top 20 due to modest results in 2022. However, early 2023 witnessed a resurgence, culminating in an unexpected triumph at the All England Championships. After a stellar semi-final win over Anders Antonsen, Li dominated his senior compatriot Shi Yu Qi, notably sealing a 21-5 victory in the second game, marked by a celebratory cartwheel.

This victory preceded another significant achievement as Li secured the Asian Games gold a few months later.

Some other very promisable mentions include Kodai Naraoka, who emerged alongside Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Lakshya Sen, and Li Shi Feng but took a more gradual path to the elite echelon. His breakthrough came in early 2022, leading to the honor of winning the Eddy Choong Most Promising Player of the Year (2022) award.

Closing in with a remarkable journey among the many, Lin Chun-Yi stood out as a rising star. En route to his first Super 300 title at the Thailand Masters, he defeated top-tier players like Weng Hong Yang, Kenta Nishimoto, Shi Yu Qi, and Ng Ka Long Angus, showcasing his potential. Building on this momentum, the tall left-hander secured a second title at the Kaohsiung Masters on home soil, propelling him to a career-high ranking of no.21.

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