Badminton has been predominant in Asia since its inception. That’s why countries like Japan and India have some of the world’s finest badminton players. Currently (in May 2024), these Japanese players are on the BWF list of the world’s top 25 players in men’s and women’s singles categories:
- Kodai Naraoka
- Akane Yamaguchi
- Kenta Nishimoto
- Tomoka Miyazaki
- Nozomi Okuhara
Let’s take a glimpse into their careers and playing styles to understand what sets them apart.
Kodai Naraoka
Date of Birth: 30 June 2001
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Men’s Singles
Career:
Kodai Naraoka started his badminton journey at the age of five years. His father was the guiding force behind his interest in the game. He achieved a career-high ranking of world’s number 2 on 12 December 2023. He has won two titles in the BWF World Tour in 2022 and 2023 and five titles in the BWF International Challenge/Series in 2019. He represented Japan at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he won bronze medals in boy’s singles and mixed doubles categories.
Playing Style:
Kodai Naraoka is known for his exceptional defense and his ability to extend rallies. He likes to dominate rallies with quick, powerful shots and excellent court coverage. This also keeps the shuttle in play for a longer time. This wears out his opponent and gives him chance to take the winning shot. While some might find his style patient, it requires immense focus and strategic thinking to outlast opponents.
Strengths:
- Speed and agility
- Powerful smashes
- Quick reflexes
- Strong court coverage
- Strategic thinking
Achievements:
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour China Masters for Men’s Singles
2022: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Vietnam Open for Men’s Singles
2019: Gold medal in BWF International Challenge/Series Lao International for Men’s Singles
2019: Gold medal in BWF International Challenge/Series Jamaica International for Men’s Singles
2019: Gold medal in BWF International Challenge/Series Mongolia International for Men’s Singles
Akane Yamaguchi
Date of Birth: 6 June 1997
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Women’s Singles
Career:
Akane Yamaguchi has won World Championships in 2021 and 2022 in the women’s singles category. She has made great contributions to the Japanese national badminton team.
She was part of the winning Japanese national teams at the 2012 Asian Junior Championships, 2013 World Junior Championships, 2014 Asian Junior Championships, and 2019 Asian Championships.
In 2018, she became the first Japanese player to win the Uber Cup in the past 37 years.
Playing Style:
Akane Yamaguchi is an aggressive baseline player. She excels at controlling the tempo of the game with a variety of shots. Her ability to retrieve almost any shot makes her a formidable opponent. Her footwork allows her to move swiftly around the court and retrieve smashes effectively. She can also shift gears and play a deceptive net game effectively.
Strengths:
- Excellent footwork
- Strong defensive skills
- Tactical awareness
- Aggressive baseline play
- Deceptive net play
Achievements:
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Malaysia Open for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour German Open for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Malaysia Masters for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Canada Open for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Hong Kong Open for Women’s Singles
Kenta Nishimoto
Date of Birth: 30 August 1994
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles
Career:
Kenta Nishimoto has won several matches in his career and reached the finals of seven different tournaments. He was part of the Japanese national winning team at the Asian Junior Championships in 2012 and the Asia Mixed Team Championships in 2017.
He has two winning titles in the BWF World Tour and seven runners-up positions. He also has runners-up positions in BWF Superseries and BWF Grand Prix.
Playing Style:
Kenta Nishimoto is an all-round player. He uses a balanced approach in his gameplay. He mixes offense and defense with his quick reflexes. His leaves the opponent surprised at every turb. He also know how to adapt his game to counter his opponents’ weaknesses.
Strengths:
- Versatility
- Solid defense
- Tactical flexibility
- Strong reflexes
- Adaptable playstyle
Achievements:
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Spain Masters for Men’s Singles
2022: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Japan Open for Men’s Singles
2021: Silver Medal in Sudirman Cup for Mixed Doubles
2017: Gold medal in Asia Mixed Team Championships for Mixed Doubles
2012: Gold medal in Asian Junior Championships for Mixed Doubles
Tomoka Miyazaki
Date of Birth: 17 August 2006
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Women’s Singles
Career:
Tomoka Miyazaki achieved great success during her school years. In her first year of high school in 2022, she won the girls’ singles category at the World Junior Championships held in Spain. She also became the fourth Japanese player to win a singles title in the World Junior Championships.
After achieving such great success in the junior games, she moved on to the senior circuit. Her excellent wins in Indonesia Masters II and Korea Masters in 2023, and Orléans Masters in 2024 have brought her to the top world ranking.
Playing Style:
Tomoka Miyazaki is known for her fast-paced and attacking playing style. She uses a combination of powerful smashes, sharp deceptions, and quick net play to overwhelm her opponent. She plays with intensity and uses her speed to put pressure on opponents. While her focus is on offense, Miyazaki also possesses a decent defense.
Strengths:
- Sharp net play
- Aggressive tactics
- Quick decision-making
- fast-paced attacking style
- Good agility and speed
Achievements:
2024: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Orléans Masters for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Indonesia Masters for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF International Challenge/Series Saipan International for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF International Challenge/Series Guatemala Future Series for Women’s Singles
2022: Gold medal in BWF International Challenge/Series Slovenia Future Series for Women’s Singles
Nozomi Okuhara
Date of Birth: 13 March 1995
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Women’s Singles
Career:
Nozomi Okuhara started her badminton career at the age of 7 years. Eight more years of consistent training landed her in the Japanese national team in 2010. The 2010 Osaka International Challenge became her first international game.
At the age of 16, she became the youngest champion in the women’s single category at the Japanese National Championships in 2011. In 2013, she suffered a knee injury, but she was back on the court within a year.
Playing Style:
Nozomi Okuhara is a technical and tactical player. She focuses on consistency. She is highly skilled in defensive gameplay. Her strokes have a pinpoint accuracy and control. Her net play is particularly strong, with soft drops and sharp angles. This creates a lot of chances to take the winning shot. She also tries to wear down her opponents by placing strategic shots.
Strengths:
- Superb defensive skills
- Strong court coverage
- Consistency
- Mental toughness and composure
- Strong net play
Achievements:
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Syed Modi International for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Odisha Masters for Women’s Singles
2021: Gold medal in BWF World Tour All England Open for Women’s Singles
2020: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Denmark Open for Women’s Singles
2018: Gold medal in BWF World Tour Thailand Open for Women’s Singles
Final Thoughts
Japanese badminton players are taught to play from a very young age. Their persistent efforts set them apart. They train from their childhood to achieve great feats early in their career. They should be an inspiration to all budding badminton players.
You will notice that each of these players has a different playing style. You should try to learn their styles and use them in your own matches. It could be hard to mimic, and you might not achieve the same results at the beginning. But it’s all about consistency. With constant practice, you will get there.
