Top five greatest badminton players from USA ft. Beiwen Zhang

Badminton’s popularity has been growing exponentially in USA.

While badminton may not enjoy the same level of popularity in the United States as it does in countries like China, Indonesia, or Denmark, the sport has still produced some remarkable American talents. The USA has made steady progress in recent years, with certain top-ranked players making significant contributions to the growth of badminton in the nation.

Currently, the United States has multiple players ranked within the top 50 globally, particularly in the men’s and mixed doubles categories. In women’s doubles, American pairs have been even more successful, with several cracking the top 50 worldwide rankings. For example, the US currently has three women’s doubles pairs ranked in the global top 30.

However, the singles categories have been more challenging, with the nation still lacking consistently top-ranked players. Many American badminton stars have actually been foreign-born players who later gained US citizenship. While the USA is yet to win an Olympic medal in the sport, the country’s performances and rankings demonstrate the growing competitiveness of American badminton on the world stage.

Here, we’ll explore the top five greatest badminton players from the United States, highlighting their achievements and impact on the sport’s development within the country.

Greatest badminton players from United States (USA)

5. Eva Lee

Eva Lee has excelled in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles, representing the United States in multiple international competitions. She participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, competing in both women’s and mixed doubles. Lee has also won multiple gold medals at the Pan American Games in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

The 2014 season saw Lee securing eight podium finishes across women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Her final event was the US Open in 2019 where she lost in the opening round of women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Throughout her career, Lee has worked to increase the sport’s visibility and has been involved in efforts to develop youth programs and improve training facilities for badminton players in the country.

4. Kevin Han

Kevin Han is another notable figure in US badminton, particularly known for his performances in men’s doubles. Han represented the United States in the 2004 Athens Olympics, partnering with Howard Bach.

Throughout his career, Han won several national titles and performed well in international competitions. He was a consistent presence in the US national team for many years, contributing to the country’s performance in team events. He played 264 matches in his career and won 171 of them including 92 wins in singles and 74 wins in men’s doubles.

After retiring from competitive play, Han has remained involved in badminton through coaching and promoting the sport in the United States. His experience and knowledge have been valuable in developing young talent in the country.

Also Read: Top five Olympic sports where USA have never won a medal ft. Badminton & Handball

3. Beiwen Zhang

Beiwen Zhang is one of the top female badminton players from the United States. Born in China, Zhang later moved to the USA and began representing the country in international competitions. She has achieved significant success in women’s singles.

Zhang’s notable achievements include winning the India Open and Switzerland Open in 2018. She has also performed well in other major tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals of the World Championships and the All England Open. Zhang had been ranked as high as world number #9 and has been consistently ranked in the top 20.

Her success has brought more attention to women’s badminton in the United States and has inspired young players to pursue the sport at a competitive level. She has played over 600 career matches and has picked up over 390 wins. She won her first title in women’s singles at Swiss International in 2013.

2. Tony Gunawan

Tony Gunawan is a prominent figure in American badminton. Although born in Indonesia, Gunawan later became a USA citizen and represented the country in international competitions. He is best known for his partnership with Howard Bach, with whom he won the men’s doubles title at the 2005 World Championships.

Before joining the US team, Gunawan had already established himself as a world-class player. He won an Olympic gold medal for Indonesia in men’s doubles at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After moving to the United States, he continued his success, winning numerous titles in national and international tournaments. Tony has also contributed to the sport as a coach, helping to develop the next generation of American badminton players.

Gunawan played 568 matches in men’s doubles and had won 433 matches. His incredible dominance in the game has brought accolades for USA.

Also Read: Top five greatest badminton players from Malaysia

1. Howard Bach

Howard Bach is one of the most successful badminton players in USA history. He was born in Vietnam and later moved to the United States, where he developed his badminton skills. Bach’s biggest achievement came in 2005 when he won the men’s doubles title at the World Championships with his partner Tony Gunawan. This was a historic moment, as it was the first time an American player had won a gold medal at the World Championships.

Bach participated in four Olympic Games from 2004 to 2016, showing his consistency at the highest level of competition. He also won several medals at the Pan American Games, including gold medals in men’s doubles in 2003 and 2007 respectively.

After retiring from competitive play, Bach has remained involved in badminton as a coach and mentor. His success has helped to increase awareness and interest in badminton within the United States.

Bach played 505 career matches where his primary focus was on men’s doubles. He played 367 matches in the men’s doubles category and won 243 of them.

While badminton may not be as widely popular in the United States as in some other countries, these five players have significantly contributed to the sport’s growth and recognition in the country. Their achievements on the international stage have helped put USA badminton on the map and have inspired new generations of players to take up the sport.

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