Badminton is a sport where height provides a clear advantage in reach, angle of attack on smashes, and net coverage. Taller players can generate steeper angles on their smashes, making returns nearly impossible, and cover more of the court with fewer steps. The sport has seen a wave of tall athletes dominate at the international level, particularly in men’s singles and doubles.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest badminton player ever is Viktor Axelsen at 6 ft 4 in (194 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest badminton players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Badminton Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viktor Axelsen | 6 ft 4 in (194 cm) | Denmark |
| 2 | Thomas Laybourn | 6 ft 4 in (194 cm) | Denmark |
| 3 | Brice Leverdez | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) | France |
| 4 | Anders Antonsen | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | Denmark |
| 5 | Chen Long | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | China |
| 6 | Jan O Jorgensen | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | Denmark |
| 7 | Shi Yuqi | 6 ft 1 in (186 cm) | China |
| 8 | Lee Zii Jia | 6 ft 1 in (186 cm) | Malaysia |
| 9 | Kento Momota | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | Japan |
| 10 | Angus Ng Ka Long | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | Hong Kong |
1. Viktor Axelsen — 6 ft 4 in (194 cm)
Country: Denmark
Viktor Axelsen is the dominant force in men’s badminton and an Olympic gold medallist from the 2020 Tokyo Games. The Danish star won back-to-back World Championship titles and has held the world No. 1 ranking for extended periods. Axelsen uses his 6 ft 4 in frame to generate devastating smashes clocked at over 250 mph and covers the court with exceptional movement.
2. Thomas Laybourn — 6 ft 4 in (194 cm)
Country: Denmark
Thomas Laybourn won the All England Open and was a World Championship gold medallist in mixed doubles. The tall Dane was one of the most successful mixed doubles players of his era and used his height for dominant net play. Laybourn retired as one of the most decorated Danish badminton players in doubles history.
3. Brice Leverdez — 6 ft 3 in (190 cm)
Country: France
Brice Leverdez is one of the tallest players in international badminton and has represented France at multiple World Championships and European Championships. The French singles player is known for one of the hardest smashes on the circuit, using his height to generate extreme downward angles. Leverdez has won multiple international titles throughout his career.
4. Anders Antonsen — 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Country: Denmark
Anders Antonsen is a World Championship silver medallist and has been ranked inside the world top five. The Danish singles player combines his tall frame with exceptional footwork and tactical play. Antonsen won the 2020 All England Open and has established himself as one of the best men’s singles players in the world.
5. Chen Long — 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Country: China
Chen Long won Olympic gold in men’s singles at the 2016 Rio Games and is a two-time World Champion. The Chinese star was the dominant player in men’s badminton during the mid-2010s and held the world No. 1 ranking. Chen Long used his height for powerful smashes and excellent defensive reach across his long career.
6. Jan O Jorgensen — 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Country: Denmark
Jan O Jorgensen reached a career-high world ranking of No. 2 and was a consistent top-ten player throughout the 2010s. The Danish singles player was known for his physical style of play, using his tall frame to cover the court efficiently. Jorgensen competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won multiple BWF World Tour titles.
7. Shi Yuqi — 6 ft 1 in (186 cm)
Country: China
Shi Yuqi won the World Championship gold medal and has been one of the leading Chinese men’s singles players. The tall Chinese star reached world No. 2 and won the 2018 All England Open. Shi Yuqi is known for his deceptive shots and ability to use his height to create difficult angles for opponents.
8. Lee Zii Jia — 6 ft 1 in (186 cm)
Country: Malaysia
Lee Zii Jia is the current star of Malaysian badminton and won the 2021 All England Open title. The tall Malaysian plays an attacking style, using his height to generate powerful smashes and cover the court with long strides. Lee Zii Jia has been ranked as high as world No. 3 and carries the hopes of Malaysian badminton.
9. Kento Momota — 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Country: Japan
Kento Momota won the 2019 World Championship and held the world No. 1 ranking for an extended period. While not the tallest, the Japanese star is included for winning a record 11 BWF World Tour titles in a single season in 2019. Momota revolutionised men’s singles with his defensive style and extraordinary control.
10. Angus Ng Ka Long — 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Country: Hong Kong
Angus Ng Ka Long is Hong Kong’s top men’s singles player and has been ranked inside the world top 10. The tall Hong Kong star has won multiple BWF World Tour titles and represented his territory at the Olympics. Ng Ka Long uses his height advantage to attack from steep angles and dominate the front court.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these badminton giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in badminton creates steeper smash angles, greater court coverage, and a commanding net presence. The tallest players on this list combined their physical gifts with speed, agility, and tactical brilliance to dominate on the world stage. As the sport evolves, the trend toward taller, more athletic players continues to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest badminton player?
Viktor Axelsen and Thomas Laybourn, both from Denmark, share the distinction at 6 ft 4 in (194 cm). Axelsen is the current Olympic champion and has dominated men’s singles with his height and power.
Does height help in badminton?
Height provides significant advantages in badminton, including steeper smash angles, greater reach at the net, and more court coverage per step. However, taller players must work harder on low shots and quick directional changes.
What is the ideal height for badminton?
Most elite badminton players are between 5 ft 9 in and 6 ft 2 in (175-188 cm). This range provides reach advantages while maintaining the agility needed for rapid court coverage.