Ageless Five: Badminton's Oldest World Champions

Ageless Five: Badminton’s Oldest World Champions

Winning a BWF World Championships is one of badminton’s greatest achievements. Most champions reach the top of the sport in their 20s, when speed, agility and endurance are at their peak. Yet a select few defied the odds, capturing world titles well into their 30s and proving experience can sometimes trump youth.

Here are the five oldest players to win a world title.

Hendra Setiawan (Indonesia) – 35 years

Setiawan tops the list after winning the 2019 men’s doubles title with Mohammad Ahsan on his 35th birthday. Already a world champion in 2007, 2013 and 2015, Setiawan completed one of badminton’s greatest career arcs by reclaiming the crown in Basel. The 12-year gap between his first and last world titles is a testament to his extraordinary longevity.

In the final, ‘the Daddies’ battled Japan’s Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi for 64 minutes before prevailing 25-23 9-21 21-15 to cement their status as one of the greatest men’s doubles partnerships.

Thomas Kihlstrom (Sweden) – 34 years, 148 days

Kihlstrom became mixed doubles world champion in 1983 in Copenhagen, Denmark alongside England’s Nora Perry. They bagged gold overcoming home pair Steen Fladberg/Pia Nielsen in the final with a commanding 15-1 15-11 victory.

The mark set by the Swedish veteran would remain untouched for 36 years.

Mohammad Ahsan (Indonesia) – 31 years, 352 days

Ahsan was just under 32 when he lifted his third world title alongside Setiawan. It was arguably their hardest-earned triumph, having won their first two finals in straight games before needing three games to overcome Hoki and Kobayashi in Basel.

Liliyana Natsir (Indonesia) – 31 years, 352 days

Already one of the most decorated mixed doubles players, Natsir captured her fourth and final world title at Glasgow 2017 alongside Tontowi Ahmad, having also won with Nova Widianto in 2005 and 2007.

The Indonesians defeated China’s then exciting young duo of Zheng Si Wei and Chen Qing Chen in the final, adding another major title to a partnership that had struck Olympic gold the previous year.

Thomas Laybourn (Denmark) – 31 years, 320 days

Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl won the mixed doubles title in 2009, the only previous time the event was staged In India.

The Danes defeated the world’s top three pairs en route to the title, stunning defending champions Widianto and Natsir 21-13 21-17 in the final.

Can the record fall in 2026?

Among the players projected to enter this year as one of the top eight seeds in their respective disciplines, Chou Tien Chen is the only shuttler with a realistic opportunity to rewrite the record books.

If the Chinese Taipei men’s singles ace reaches and wins the final, he will be 36 years and 227 days old on finals day – comfortably surpassing Setiawan’s record to become the oldest world champion.

Considering the physical demands of modern men’s singles, it would rank among the most extraordinary achievements the sport has seen.

Tags: BWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026