Most Successful Shuttlers at Summer Olympics


Since the inclusion of Badminton as a medal Sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, it has grown to be one of the most entertaining sports at the Summer Olympics. Over the years, badminton’s Olympic era has given birth to new star players, both men, and women. With the Tokyo Olympics to kick off within a few months, let’s take a look at the badminton legends who have won maximum medals at the Summer Olympic Games. 

#8 Lin Dan (China)

Medals: 2 Gold 

Lin Dan, also known as ‘Super Dan’ is the greatest men’s singles player so far in Olympic history earning two back-to-back titles at the Olympics. With successive Olympic golds at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games, he became the first men’s singles player to defend his Olympic title. 

#7: Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia)

Medals: 3 Silver

Lee Chong Wei & Lin Dan

The only shuttler to win consecutive silver titles, Lee Chong Wei’s desperate quest for an Olympic gold fell short three times in a row. At the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 edition of the Summer Olympics, he was denied the title by his arch-rival, Lin Dan. Later, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, he was defeated by Chen Long in the final settling for his third Olympic silver. 

Also read: Top Comebacks in Badminton

#6: Gil Young Ah (Korea)

Medals: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze 

Gil Young Ah

Gil Young Ah has won every level of an Olympic medal. Her first medal came at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where she won a bronze in women’s doubles along with Shim Eun-Jung.

Eventually, she picked up her maiden Olympic gold at the very next 1996 Atlanta Olympics in mixed doubles with Kim Dong-moon. She also won a silver medal in women’s doubles together with Jang Hye-ock in the same Summer Olympics edition. 

#5 Kim Dong Moon (Korea)

Medals: 2 Gold, 1 Bronze 

Kim Dong Moon captured the world’s attention when he won a gold medal at the 1996 Athens Olympics with Gil Young Ah. This was followed by a bronze medal in men’s doubles at the 2000 Atlanta Olympic Games. 

Kim’s second Olympic gold came 8 years later at the 2004 Athens Olympics in men’s doubles with partner, Ha Tae Kwon. Notably, he is the only Korean badminton player to win two Olympic gold medals. 

#4 Zhang Nan (China)

Medals: 2 Gold, 1 Bronze 

Zhang Nang is one of the most versatile badminton players who specialize in men’s doubles as well as mixed doubles. In his debut at the 2012 London Olympics, he earned his maiden Olympic Gold in mixed doubles with his partner, Zhao Yunlei. 

The Chinese pair went on to win their second Olympic medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they settled for a bronze. However, Zhang found success by winning Olympic gold in men’s doubles with the doubles legendary player, Fu Haifeng. 

#3 Yunlei Zhao – China

Medals: 2 Gold, 1 Bronze

Yunlei Zhao is the first-ever badminton player to win two gold medals in the same Olympic edition. She achieved this feat at the 2012 London Olympics where she won in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles event. Later, in the 2016 Rio Olympics, she settled for a bronze in the mixed doubles category. 

#2 Fu Haifeng (China)

Medals: 2 Gold, 1 Silver 

2012 London Olympics men’s doubles finals

Considered to be the greatest men’s doubles player in badminton history, Fu Haifeng competed in the Olympic Games three times along with partner Cai Yun. After losing in the quarterfinals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the duo steeled for silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

The void for an Olympic Gold was filled at the 2012 London Olympics, where the duo defeated Denmark’s pair of Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen in the finals. 

Fu then partnered with Zhang Nan to defend his title at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. 

#1 Gao Ling (China)- Most successful Shuttler at the Summer Olympics

Medals- 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze 

Gao Ling is the most successful shuttler in the Summer Olympic history earning four medals, the highest by any shuttler. The Chinese shuttler is one of the most celebrated and successful doubles players in the history of women’s badminton. 

She along with her partner, Zhang Jun won consecutive gold medals (Sydney 2000 & Athens 2004) at the Olympics in the mixed doubles category. 

However, she did not earn a gold medal in women’s doubles settling for bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Unfortunately, the veteran lost the first round of mixed doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

Anushree Burad

Qualified as an MBA in Sports Management. A Sports fanatic and a passionate badminton player. My passion for sports drove me to foray into sports writing. This is my attempt at translating my thoughts into words. Looking forward to contributing to Sports through my writing.

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