Top 10 players to look out for at BWF World Championships

The prestigious tournament will see several top badminton players in action.

One of the most important tournaments in badminton, the BWF World Championship is set to begin on 21 August 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. It will involve the best badminton athletes from across the globe in multiple categories. The tournament offers the most number of ranking points and is regarded as one of the biggest events on the calendar.

The 2022 edition, which takes place in Japan, will be very exciting. In a year full of major multi-sport events, badminton players are increasing the level of their performances every passing day. Indian gold medal winners from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will also be part of the BWF World Championships. 

The competition will be intense because of the star-studded lineup. One thing is for certain, the fans will witness sensational badminton. As the beginning of the tournament approaches, here are the top 10 players to watch out for at the 2022 BWF World Championships:

10. Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai

Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were the winners in the mixed doubles category during the 2021 BWF World Championships.

The duo will be favourites to defend their title once again in this particular category due to their chemistry and quality. They are one of the strongest doubles pairs in badminton at the moment.

9. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty

The Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty is in brilliant form coming into the BWF World Championships. They were unstoppable in their quest to win gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In the previous edition, the pair got to the third round and will aim to go way further this time around.

8. Tai Tzu-Ying

Tai Tzu-Ying is currently World No. 2 in women’s singles and is a direct challenger to Akane Yamaguchi for the title at the World Championships.

The Chinese-Taipei star was second to the Japanese last year as well and will hope to go one step better in 2022. She won silver at the Tokyo Olympics and since has been only improving her performance levels.

7. Kidambi Srikanth

Kidambi Srikanth made history last year he became the first Indian to reach the World Championship final in the men's singles. He lost in the final to Loh Kean Yew and walked away with a historic silver medal in Huelva, Spain. He comes into the tournament with a bronze medal at the 2022 CWG in Birmingham and will look to carry the momentum.

6. Anders Antonsen

Anders Antonsen had to settle for bronze during the 2021 edition of the World Championships. The exceptional Danish shuttler will be a favourite to reach the latter stages of the men’s singles category. He is currently World No. 3 in the world and will be a strong challenger for gold.

5. Akane Yamaguchi

Akane Yamaguchi is the World No. 1 in the women’s singles rankings. She is a heavy favourite to win gold yet again at the 2022 BWF World Championships. The Japanese shuttler is the reigning champion and will have the home advantage when the tournament takes place in Tokyo, Japan.

4. Kento Momota

Japan’s Kento Momota is a strong favourite to win the men’s singles title at the 2022 BWF World Championships. He is currently the World No. 2 in rankings.

Losing to Viktor Axelsen in the final was disappointing and yet encouraging for the shuttler. He is a two-time gold medalist at this tournament and will be spurred on by the home crowd this time around, despite his dwindling form in 2022. 

3. P.V. Sindhu

P.V. Sindhu will be the leading Indian candidate for gold at the BWF World Championship. She is coming into the tournament after a valiant effort at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she won her first singles gold at the multi-sport event. The five-time World Championships medalist will hope to add a second gold to her locker after winning it in 2019.

2. Lakshya Sen

Perhaps India’s strongest contender, Lakshya Sen will be gunning for gold in the men’s singles discipline. He was exceptional on his way to winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

He won a bronze in the previous edition. The 20-year-old was the runner-up at the All England Open and a crucial part of the Indian team that won the Thomas Cup earlier this year.

1. Viktor Axelsen

Viktor Axelsen is one of the major names to watch out for at the 2022 BWF World Championships.

He is currently the World No. 1 in world rankings and a strong favourite to defend his title. The Dane is the reigning Olympic gold medalist and also the European champion.

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