Badminton officially debuted at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. At the 1972 Olympics in Munich it was introduced as a demonstration sport. The mixed doubles discipline was included in 1996 Atlanta Olympics Games.

Ever since, 106 medals (34 gold, 34 silver, 38 bronze) have been given to 130 winners from 11 countries.

The countdown to 2020 Tokyo has begun and in that spirit, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) released the most successful Olympians in history.

1. Gao Ling (China)

No. of appearances -3
No. of titles – 4

Gao Ling is a doubles specialist who has won a total of 4 medals which include 1 mixed doubles gold medal in 2000 Sydney (with Zhang Jun), 1 mixed doubles gold medal in 2004 Athens (Zhang Jun), 1 women’s doubles silver medal in 2004 Athens (with Huang Sui), and 1 women’s doubles bronze medal in 2000 Sydney (with Qin Yiyuan).

2. Fu Haifeng (China)

No. of appearances – 4
No. of titles – 3

Fu Haifeng has 3 Olympic medals and is considered one of the best players in the history of badminton. He has won 1 gold medal in 2012 London (with Cai Yun), 1 gold medal in 2016 Rio (with Zhang Nan), and 1 silver medal in 2008 Beijing (with Cai Yun).

3. Zhang Nan (China)

No. of appearances – 2
No. of titles – 3

Just like his former partner Fu Haifeng, Zhang Nan has also won 3 Olympics medals. He has won 1 men’s doubles gold medal in 2016 Rio (with Fu Haifeng), 1 mixed doubles gold medal in 2012 London (with Zhao Yunlei) and 1 mixed doubles bronze medal in 2016 Rio (with Zhao Yunlei).

4. Zhao Yunlei (China)

No. of appearances – 2
No. of titles – 3

Zhao Yunlei was a double champion in 2012 London Games, she won golds in women’s doubles (with Tian Qing) and mixed doubles (with Zhang Nan). At the 2016 Rio, she won bronze in mixed doubles (with Zhang Nan).

5. Kim Dong Moon (Korea)

No. of appearances – 3
No. of titles – 3

Kim Dong Moon was inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame in 2009. He is the most successful Korean player at the Olympics, having won 1 men’s doubles gold medal in 2004 Athens (with Ha Tae Kwon), 1 mixed doubles gold medal in 1996 Atlanta (with Gil Young Ah) , and 1 bronze medal in 2000 Sydney (with Ha Tae Kwon).

6. Gil Young Ah (Korea)

No. of appearances – 2
No. of titles – 3

Gil Young Ah is the mother of Kim Won Ho, who is currently with the Korean national team. Gil has won a total of 3 Olympic medals, including 1 mixed doubles gold medal in 1996 Atlanta (with Kim Dong Moon), 1 women’s doubles silver medal in 1996 Atlanta (with Jang Hye Ock), and 1 bronze medal in 1992 Barcelona (with Shim Eun Jung).

7. Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia)

No. of appearances – 4
No. of titles – 3

Lee Chong Wei has 3 Olympic medals. He has won 1 silver medal in 2008 Beijing, 1 silver medal in 2012 London, and 1 silver medal in 2016 Rio . He was denied the gold by his great nemesis, Lin Dan, two times.