Top five badminton superstars who failed to win Olympic gold ft. PV Sindhu, Lee Chong Wei & more

Lee Chong Wei won silver thrice at the Olympics.

In the high-stakes world of badminton, the stars have found themselves on the podium but could not get hold of the Olympic gold. The quadrennial event has been a stage where dreams are made and shattered in the blink of an eye. Some of the sport’s biggest names have found themselves agonizingly close to the pinnacle of success, only to fall short at the final hurdle.

The title being elusive at the World Championships or Super Series events is less painful as they are held every year. However, a defeat at the Olympics is heartbreaking, as athletes chase the ultimate glory while representing their nation once in four years.

Let’s dive into the stories of five badminton legends who, despite their incredible achievements, never managed to claim that coveted Olympic gold medal.

5. Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/ Marcus Fernaldi Gideon

A dynamic duo known as “The Minions,” Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo dominated men’s doubles alongside Marcus Fernaldi Gideon. Their lightning-fast play and incredible coordination revolutionized the game. But, Olympic success proved elusive for this Indonesian powerhouse.

The pair won 10 Super Series and 19 World Tour titles alongside the Asian Games gold and the Thomas Cup. They were also on top of the rankings for 226 weeks.

4. Kento Momota

Kento Momota’s story is one of triumph, tragedy and unfulfilled Olympic dreams. The two-time World Champion seemed destined for Olympic glory, only to have his hopes dashed by a series of unfortunate events.

A gambling scandal in 2016 saw him miss the Rio Olympics. Then, just as he was gearing up for redemption in Tokyo, a horrific car accident in 2020 nearly ended his career. Momota fought back, but the postponed 2020 Olympics saw him make an early exit.

Also Read: Top five badminton superstars who did not win Olympic medal

3. Tai Tzu-ying

Tai Tzu-ying, the dazzling star from Chinese Taipei, has held the World No. 1 ranking for a staggering 214 weeks – longer than any other player in BWF history. Her on-court wizardry has left opponents and spectators alike in awe. Yet, when it comes to the Olympics, Tzu-ying has found herself falling short of the ultimate prize.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she came agonizingly close, securing a silver medal after losing in three games to China’s Chen Yufei.

2. Pusarla Venkata Sindhu

P.V. Sindhu has been a trailblazer for Indian badminton, becoming the first Indian to win the BWF World Championships. Her Olympic journey has been nothing short of spectacular, with a silver in 2016 and a bronze in 2020.

Yet, that elusive gold medal remains just out of reach. PV Sindhu beat China’s He Bingjiao to win bronze in Tokyo and lost to Spaniard Carolina Marin to settle for silver in Rio.

1. Lee Chong Wei

For 349 weeks, Lee Chong Wei reigned supreme as the world’s top-ranked badminton player. Yet, the Olympic gold medal remained frustratingly out of reach. Three times he stepped onto the Olympic stage and three times he left with silver, his hopes dashed in nail-biting finals.

Wei lost to Lin Dan in the finals of the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. The former Thai player then lost to Chen Long in the final of the Rio Olympics 2016.

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