Lee Yong-dae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lee Yong-dae |
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Personal information | |
Born | Hwasun, South Jeolla, South Korea |
11 September 1988
Height | 1.76m |
Weight | 76.2kg |
Country | South Korea |
Years active | 2003–2018, 2019–present |
Handedness | Right |
Men's & mixed doubles | |
Highest Ranking | 1 (MD with Jung Jae-sung 22 January 2009) 1 (MD with Ko Sung-hyun 30 May 2013) 1 (MD with Yoo Yeon-seong 14 August 2014) 1 (XD with Lee Hyo-jung 2009) |
Current Ranking | 31 |
Lee Yong-dae (Hangul: 이용대; Hanja: 李龍大; born 11 September 1988) is a famous South Korean professional badminton player. He was very successful in both men's doubles and mixed doubles. He even reached the world number 1 ranking with four different partners!
He won a total of 43 Superseries titles. This includes 37 in men's doubles and 6 in mixed doubles. He was ranked world number 1 in men's doubles for 117 weeks in a row with his partner, Yoo Yeon-seong.
After winning the 2016 Korean Superseries, Lee announced he would stop playing international badminton. However, he returned to the international stage in late 2017. He started a new partnership with Kim Gi-jung in 2018. On December 9, 2024, Lee was added to the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame.
Contents
- Lee Yong-dae's Early Life
- Lee Yong-dae's Amazing Career
- Starting Out in 2003-2005
- Junior Success and First Senior Medals in 2006
- Breaking Through in 2007
- Olympic Gold and More Wins in 2008
- Continued Success in 2009
- Strong Performances in 2010
- New Partners and More Titles in 2011
- Olympic Bronze and New Partnerships in 2012
- Changing Partners and Winning Streaks in 2013
- Overcoming Challenges in 2014
- Dominating the Courts in 2015
- Retirement and Comeback in 2016-2020
- Lee Yong-dae's Personal Life
- Lee Yong-dae's Achievements
- See also
Lee Yong-dae's Early Life
Lee started playing badminton when he was 8 years old. He took up the sport to help him lose weight. He joined the national badminton team of South Korea in 2003, when he was just 15.
Lee Yong-dae's Amazing Career
Starting Out in 2003-2005
Lee began his international career in 2003. He played in both singles and doubles events. In 2004, he reached the semi-finals in mixed doubles at the French Open International. He continued to work hard, and in 2005, he reached the finals of the Cheers Asian Satellite in both mixed and men's doubles.
He won gold medals at the 2005 Asian Junior Championships. These wins were in boys' doubles, mixed doubles, and team events.
Junior Success and First Senior Medals in 2006
In July 2006, Lee won three more gold medals at the Asian Junior Championships in Malaysia. He helped South Korea win in boys' doubles, mixed doubles, and the mixed team event.
In November, Lee achieved another hat trick of gold medals at the World Junior Championships. He led the Korean team to their first world junior championship. He didn't lose a single set in boys' doubles, mixed doubles, or the mixed team event.
Lee also won two titles at the Thailand Open in men's doubles and mixed doubles. At the 2006 Asian Games, he won a bronze medal in men's doubles. South Korea also won a silver medal in the team event.
Breaking Through in 2007
In January 2007, Lee and his partner Jung Jae-sung won the Korea Open. Lee also won the mixed doubles with Lee Hyo-jung. They won another title at the Swiss Open. Later that year, Lee and Jung won a silver medal at the 2007 BWF World Championships.
Olympic Gold and More Wins in 2008
Lee and Jung won the 2008 All England Open. They also won the Swiss Open. At the Asian Championships, Lee and Jung became champions.
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Lee and Jung were surprisingly knocked out early in men's doubles. However, Lee and Lee Hyo-jung surprised everyone by winning the gold medal in mixed doubles! Lee became the youngest gold medalist in Olympic badminton history.
Continued Success in 2009
Lee and Jung Jae-sung started 2009 by winning the Malaysia Open. Lee also won the mixed doubles title at the Korea Open with Lee Hyo-jung. When Jung was away for military service, Lee teamed up with Shin Baek-cheol and won the German Open.
Lee and Lee Hyo-jung won the Asian Championships title. At the Sudirman Cup, Lee helped South Korea reach the final. He won the men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open with Jung. In August, Lee won a silver medal in men's doubles at the World Championships. He also won two titles at the China Open Superseries.
Strong Performances in 2010
Lee and Jung Jae-sung won the Korea Open Superseries in January 2010. Lee was absent from the Thomas Cup due to an injury. However, he came back strong and won the Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold with Jung.
At the Asian Games in November, Lee and Jung helped the South Korean men's team reach the final. They won a bronze medal in the individual men's doubles event.
New Partners and More Titles in 2011
Lee and Jung Jae-sung won the Korea Open Superseries Premier in January 2011. After Lee Hyo-jung retired, Lee partnered with Ha Jung-eun in mixed doubles. They won the US Open Grand Prix Gold. Lee also won the men's doubles with Ko Sung-hyun at the US Open and Canada Open.
In September, Lee and Jung won the China Masters title. They also won the Denmark Open Superseries Premier and the French Superseries title.
Olympic Bronze and New Partnerships in 2012
Lee and Jung Jae-sung won their second All England Open title in March 2012. They also won their second Indonesia Open title. At the 2012 Olympic Games, they won bronze medals. After the Olympics, Lee started playing men's doubles with Ko Sung-hyun.
Changing Partners and Winning Streaks in 2013
Lee and his new partner Ko Sung-hyun won the Korea Open in 2013. After a year, Lee and Ko split. Lee then partnered with Yoo Yeon-Seong. This new team won two tournaments in a row: the 2013 Denmark Superseries Premier and the China Open.
Overcoming Challenges in 2014
In January 2014, Lee and Kim Gi-jung faced a temporary ban from playing. However, the ban was lifted after an investigation showed it was a misunderstanding.
Lee returned to badminton in May. In June, Lee and Yoo Yeon-Seong won three Superseries titles in three weeks! They won the Japan Open, Indonesian Open, and Australian Open. This made them the world number 1 team. At the 2014 BWF World Championships, Lee won his third silver medal.
Dominating the Courts in 2015
Lee Yong-dae had a great year in 2015. He won six Superseries titles, including four in a row. He won in Australia, Japan, Korea, Denmark, France, and Hong Kong with Yoo Yeon-Seong.
Retirement and Comeback in 2016-2020
In 2016, Lee and Yoo Yeon-seong won the China Masters and the Asian Championships. They also won the Indonesia Open. They were top seeds at the 2016 Summer Olympics but lost in the quarter-finals. Lee announced his retirement after the 2016 Olympics. His last tournament was the Korea Open, which he won with Yoo.
Lee made a comeback in 2018. He partnered with Kim Gi-jung and won the Spain Masters and Macau Open titles. In 2020, Lee and Kim Gi-jung won the Malaysia Masters.
Lee Yong-dae's Personal Life
Lee became very famous after winning his gold medal at the 2008 Olympics. He appeared on TV shows like Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education.
Lee started dating actress Byun Soo-mi in 2011. They had a daughter, Lee Ye-bin, in 2017. Their daughter's growth was shown on the TV show Pot Stand.
Lee Yong-dae's Achievements
Olympic Games
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2012 | Wembley Arena, London, Great Britain | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
23–21, 21–10 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2008 | Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, Beijing, China | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–11, 21–17 | ![]() |
BWF World Championships
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2007 | Putra Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
19–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
2009 | Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, India | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
18–21, 21–16, 26–28 | ![]() |
2011 | Wembley Arena, London, England | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
18–21, 14–21 | ![]() |
2014 | Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | ![]() |
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20–22, 23–21, 18–21 | ![]() |
2015 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() |
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17–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2009 | Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, India | ![]() |
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21–18, 9–21, 18–21 | ![]() |
Asian Games
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2006 | Aspire Hall 3, Doha, Qatar | ![]() |
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25–23, 18–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
2010 | Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | ![]() |
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15–21, 21–13, 18–21 | ![]() |
2014 | Gyeyang Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea | ![]() |
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16–21, 21–16, 17–21 | ![]() |
Asian Championships
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2008 | Bandaraya Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia | ![]() |
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21–16, 21–18 | ![]() |
2013 | Taipei Arena, Taipei, Taiwan | ![]() |
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21–13, 22–20 | ![]() |
2015 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China | ![]() |
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18–21, 24–22, 21–19 | ![]() |
2016 | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China | ![]() |
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21–14, 28–26 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2009 | Suwon Indoor Stadium, Suwon, South Korea | ![]() |
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21–12, 21–15 | ![]() |
Summer Universiade
Men's doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2013 | Tennis Academy, Kazan, Russia | ![]() |
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13–21, 21–13, 21–13 | ![]() |
World Junior Championships
Boys' doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2004 | Minoru Arena, Richmond, Canada | ![]() |
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6–15, 15–3, 12–15 | ![]() |
2006 | Samsan World Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea | ![]() |
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21–12, 21–16 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2004 | Minoru Arena, Richmond, Canada | ![]() |
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5–15, 15–17 | ![]() |
2006 | Samsan World Gymnasium, Incheon, South Korea | ![]() |
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18–21, 21–19, 21–14 | ![]() |
Asian Junior Championships
Boys' doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2004 | Hwacheon Indoor Stadium, Hwacheon, South Korea | ![]() |
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15–11, 15–3 | ![]() |
2005 | Tennis Indoor Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() |
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8–15, 15–8, 15–8 | ![]() |
2006 | Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
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21–12, 21–9 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2004 | Hwacheon Indoor Stadium, Hwacheon, South Korea | ![]() |
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7–15, 6–15 | ![]() |
2005 | Tennis Indoor Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | ![]() |
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11–15, 15–8, 15–2 | ![]() |
2006 | Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–9 | ![]() |
BWF World Tour Titles
The BWF World Tour is a series of top badminton tournaments.
Men's doubles
BWF Superseries Titles
The BWF Superseries was a series of elite badminton tournaments held from 2007 to 2017.
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2007 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–16, 21–15 | ![]() |
2008 | All England Open | ![]() |
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20–22, 21–19, 21–18 | ![]() |
2008 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
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17–21, 21–16, 21–13 | ![]() |
2008 | China Open | ![]() |
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17–21, 21–17, 21–13 | ![]() |
2008 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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25–23, 19–21, 22–20 | ![]() |
2008 | World Superseries Masters Finals | ![]() |
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18–21, 14–21 | ![]() |
2009 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
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18–21, 21–14, 21–14 | ![]() |
2009 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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12–21, 22–24 | ![]() |
2009 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–18 | ![]() |
2009 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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13–21, 21–15, 21–8 | ![]() |
2009 | China Open | ![]() |
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21–13, 19–21, 21–18 | ![]() |
2009 | World Superseries Masters Finals | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–15 | ![]() |
2010 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–11, 14–21, 21–18 | ![]() |
2010 | China Open | ![]() |
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21–15, 21–12 | ![]() |
2010 | World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
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17–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
2011 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–6, 21–13 | ![]() |
2011 | China Masters | ![]() |
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21–17, 21–10 | ![]() |
2011 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
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21–16, 21–17 | ![]() |
2011 | French Open | ![]() |
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14–21, 21–15, 21–11 | ![]() |
2011 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
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21–14, 22–24, 19–21 | ![]() |
2012 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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21–18, 17–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
2012 | All England Open | ![]() |
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21–23, 21–9, 21–14 | ![]() |
2012 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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23–21, 19–21, 21–11 | ![]() |
2012 | French Open | ![]() |
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22–24, 21–17, 21–11 | ![]() |
2012 | China Open | ![]() |
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15–21, 14–21 | ![]() |
2013 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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19–21, 21–13, 21–10 | ![]() |
2013 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–21, 13–21 | ![]() |
2013 | India Open | ![]() |
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20–22, 18–21 | ![]() |
2013 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–21, 18–21 | ![]() |
2013 | Singapore Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–21, 18–21 | ![]() |
2013 | China Masters | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
25–23, 21–19 | ![]() |
2013 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–19, 21–16 | ![]() |
2013 | China Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–13, 21–12 | ![]() |
2013 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
12–21, 21–15, 21–18 | ![]() |
2014 | Japan Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–12, 26–24 | ![]() |
2014 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–15, 21–17 | ![]() |
2014 | Australian Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–14, 21–18 | ![]() |
2014 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
13–21, 23–25 | ![]() |
2014 | China Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–14, 21–15 | ![]() |
2014 | Dubai World Superseries Finals | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
19–21, 21–19, 21–16 | ![]() |
2015 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–14, 15–21, 21–23 | ![]() |
2015 | Australian Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–16, 21–17 | ![]() |
2015 | Japan Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–19, 29–27 | ![]() |
2015 | Korea Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–16, 21–12 | ![]() |
2015 | Denmark Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–8, 21–14 | ![]() |
2015 | French Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–14, 21–19 | ![]() |
2015 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–7, 18–21, 21–18 | ![]() |
2016 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
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13–21, 21–13, 21–16 | ![]() |
2016 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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15–21, 22–20, 21–18 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2007 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
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14–21, 21–16, 21–18 | ![]() |
2008 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
2008 | Korea Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–21, 21–14, 21–18 | ![]() |
2008 | China Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–16, 21–15 | ![]() |
2008 | Hong Kong Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–21, 16–21 | ![]() |
2009 | Malaysia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
2009 | Korea Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–8, 21–7 | ![]() |
2009 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
16–21, 15–21 | ![]() |
2009 | Indonesia Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
17–21, 21–8, 16–21 | ![]() |
2009 | China Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–18, 15–21, 21–15 | ![]() |
2010 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–14, 21–18 | ![]() |
2012 | Korea Open | ![]() |
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12–21, 21–19, 10–21 | ![]() |
- BWF Superseries Finals tournament
- BWF Superseries Premier tournament
- BWF Superseries tournament
BWF Grand Prix Titles
The BWF Grand Prix was a series of badminton tournaments held from 2007 to 2017.
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2006 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–11, 15–6 | ![]() |
2006 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–21, 18–21 | ![]() |
2006 | Thailand Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Walkover | ![]() |
2007 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
18–21, 20–22 | ![]() |
2007 | Thailand Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
19–21, 21–19, 9–21 | ![]() |
2008 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
13–21, 19–21 | ![]() |
2009 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–13, 21–16 | ![]() |
2010 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–10, 21–16 | ![]() |
2010 | Korea Grand Prix | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
18–21, 21–18, 27–27 | ![]() |
2011 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–19, 18–21, 21–11 | ![]() |
2011 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
17–21, 16–21 | ![]() |
2011 | Thailand Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
24–22, 21–14 | ![]() |
2011 | U.S. Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–9, 21–19 | ![]() |
2011 | Canada Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–18, 21–16 | ![]() |
2011 | Chinese Taipei Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–23, 17–21 | ![]() |
2011 | Korea Grand Prix Gold | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–21, 22–24 | ![]() |
2012 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
19–21, 21–18, 19–21 | ![]() |
2012 | Korea Grand Prix Gold | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–12, 21–11 | ![]() |
2012 | India Grand Prix Gold | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–13, 21–19 | ![]() |
2013 | Swiss Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
14–21, 21–18, 14–21 | ![]() |
2014 | Korea Grand Prix | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–18, 21–19 | ![]() |
2016 | German Open | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
22–20, 18–21, 17–21 | ![]() |
2016 | China Masters | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–17, 21–14 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
- BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament
- BWF & IBF Grand Prix tournament
BWF International Challenge/Series/Satellite Titles
Men's doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
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2005 | Cheers Asian Satellite | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–13, 6–15, 3–15 | ![]() |
2005 | Mongolian Satellite | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
15–3, 15–12 | ![]() |
2008 | Korea International | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–16, 26–24 | ![]() |
2009 | Korea International | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–19, 15–21, 21–15 | ![]() |
2012 | India International | ![]() |
![]() ![]() |
21–11, 21–10 | ![]() |
Mixed doubles
Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | [[Singapore International|Cheers Asian Satellite
See also
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