Most Olympic Badminton Medals : Top Individual Record Holders
Badminton became an Olympic sport in 1992 during the Barcelona Games. Since then, it has turned into one of the most exciting sports to follow due to its fast pace, skillful play and intense rivalries. Nations such as China, Indonesia, South Korea and Denmark have created champions who have made history by winning numerous medals. Here we look at the most Olympic badminton medals won by an individual.
Most Olympic badminton medals won by an individual (Male)
| Player | Country | Total Medals | Medal Breakdown |
| Fu Haifeng | China | 3 | 2 Gold (2012, 2016 Doubles), 1 Silver (2008 Doubles) |
| Kim Dong-moon | South Korea | 3 | 2 Gold (1996, 2004 Doubles), 1 Bronze (2000 Doubles) |
| Zhang Nan | China | 3 | 2 Gold (2012 Mixed, 2016 Doubles), 1 Bronze (2016 Mixed) |
| Lee Chong Wei | Malaysia | 3 | 3 Silver (2008, 2012, 2016 Singles) |
Fu Haifeng (China) – 2 Gold, 1 Silver
Fu Haifeng is among just four male athletes to have won three Olympic medals in badminton. He secured a silver medal in 2008 alongside Cai Yun, then won gold with Cai at the London 2012 Olympics and successfully defended his title at the Rio 2016 Games with Zhang Nan. Fu is celebrated as one of the greatest men’s doubles players in history and renowned for his powerful smashes and consistent gameplay.
Kim Dong-moon (South Korea) – 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
Kim Dong-moon is the only South Korean athlete to have won three Olympic medals in badminton. He secured a gold medal in mixed doubles at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, a bronze in men’s doubles at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and another gold in men’s doubles at the Athens 2004 Olympics alongside Ha Tae-kwon. Kim is renowned for his strategy and speed and celebrated as one of badminton’s greatest doubles specialists.
Zhang Nan (China) – 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
Zhang Nan is the first Chinese athlete to win Olympic gold in both men’s and mixed doubles. He played a crucial role in maintaining China’s dominance in badminton, achieving a total of three Olympic medals. He earned the mixed doubles gold at the London 2012 Olympics alongside Zhao Yunlei, then at the Rio 2016 Games, he won men’s doubles gold with Fu Haifeng and also took home a mixed doubles bronze with Zhao.
Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) – 3 Silver
Lee Chong Wei is Malaysia’s top Olympian winning three Olympic silver medals in badminton. He was defeated by Lin Dan in the finals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, and then lost to Chen Long at Rio 2016. Despite not winning a gold medal, his unwavering determination and impressive record of 349 weeks as the world number one solidified his status as a badminton legend.
Most Olympic badminton medals won by an individual (Female)
| Player | Country | Total Medals | Medal Breakdown |
| Gao Ling | China | 4 | 2 Gold (2000, 2004 Mixed Doubles), 1 Silver (2004 Women’s Doubles), 1 Bronze (2000 Women’s Doubles) |
Gao Ling (China) – 2 Gold. 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Photo Credit: Mayeres, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Gao Ling is recognized as the greatest Olympic medalist in badminton, having won four medals. At the Sydney 2000 Olympics she secured a gold medal in mixed doubles alongside Zhang Jun as well as a bronze in women’s doubles. Later, during the Athens 2004 Games she successfully defended her mixed doubles title with Zhang and additionally earned a silver medal in women’s doubles with Huang Sui. She made history as the first athlete to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in mixed doubles.
