South KoreanBadminton playerOlympianAsian Games medalist

Baek Ha-na

Baek Ha-na is a prominent South Korean badminton player specializing in women's doubles, who achieved a world No. 1 ranking and won multiple international titles including Asian Games gold.

1. Life and Early Career

Baek Ha-na's early life and introduction to badminton laid the foundation for her distinguished career in the sport.

1.1. Childhood and Education

Baek Ha-na was born on September 22, 2000, in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. She started playing badminton in the third grade at Gimcheon Dongbu Elementary School. In her fourth grade, her family relocated to Cheongsong County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where she transferred to Cheongsong Elementary School. She continued her education and badminton training through Cheongsong Girls' Middle School and Cheongsong Girls' High School, where she completed her studies.

1.2. Introduction to Badminton and Junior Activities

Baek Ha-na was introduced to badminton in 2009, having been recommended to the sport by her brother. Her talent was quickly recognized, leading to her selection for the junior national team in 2015 while she was attending Cheongsong Girls' Middle School. In October 2015, she competed at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships held in Kudus, Indonesia, reaching the quarterfinals in the singles event. The following month, she participated in the BWF World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru, where she advanced to the round of 32 in girls' doubles alongside her partner Shim Ye-rim. In July 2016, she once again took part in the Asian Junior Championships, this time in Bangkok, Thailand, reaching the round of 16 in the girls' singles. By 2017, her consistent performance led to her selection for the senior national team. She achieved her first major senior final appearance at the 2017 Macau Open Grand Prix Gold, partnering with Lee Yu-lim, though they finished as runners-up to Chinese pair Huang Yaqiong and Yu Xiaohan with scores of 10-21, 17-21.

2. Career Achievements

Baek Ha-na's career is marked by a series of significant achievements in both junior and senior international competitions, demonstrating her consistent performance and rise in the global badminton arena.

2.1. International Junior Competitions

Baek Ha-na had a highly successful junior career, marked by multiple medal wins at prestigious international tournaments. At the 2017 BWF World Junior Championships held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, she secured a gold medal in the girls' doubles event, partnering with Lee Yu-lim. During the same championships, she also contributed to the mixed team event, earning a bronze medal. Earlier in 2017, at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, she clinched two gold medals: one in girls' doubles again with Lee Yu-lim, and another in the mixed team event. She also earned a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the same championships, partnered with Kang Min-hyuk. Her junior success extends back to the 2016 Asian Junior Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, where she was part of the mixed team that won a silver medal.

2.2. International Senior Competitions

Baek Ha-na has established herself as a formidable presence in senior international badminton, securing numerous medals in major tournaments.

2.2.1. Asian Games

At the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, Baek Ha-na achieved remarkable success. She was a key member of the South Korean women's team that secured a gold medal. Additionally, she partnered with Lee So-hee in the women's doubles event, earning a silver medal after a hard-fought final against the Chinese pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, with scores of 18-21, 17-21.

YearVenuePartnerOpponentScoreResult
2022Binjiang Gymnasium, Hangzhou, ChinaLee So-heeChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan18-21, 17-21

Silver medal
Silver medal

Silver

2.2.2. Badminton Asia Championships

Baek Ha-na has consistently performed well at the Badminton Asia Championships. In 2023, at the championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, she secured a silver medal in women's doubles with Lee So-hee, losing to the Japanese pair Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota with scores of 7-21, 14-21. The following year, in 2024, she achieved a significant victory at the championships in Ningbo, China, winning the gold medal in women's doubles with Lee So-hee by defeating Chinese opponents Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu 23-21, 21-12.

YearVenuePartnerOpponentScoreResult
2023Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesLee So-heeYuki Fukushima / Sayaka Hirota7-21, 14-21

Silver medal
Silver medal

Silver

2024Ningbo Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, Ningbo, ChinaLee So-heeZhang Shuxian / Zheng Yu23-21, 21-12

Gold medal
Gold medal

Gold

2.2.3. Other Major Team Competitions

Baek Ha-na has been a vital part of the South Korean national badminton team in various significant team competitions. At the 2023 Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China, she earned a silver medal as part of the mixed team. In the Uber Cup, she has won multiple medals: a gold medal at the 2022 Uber Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, a bronze medal at the 2018 Uber Cup also in Bangkok, and another bronze at the 2024 Uber Cup in Chengdu, China. She also secured a silver medal at the 2023 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Dubai, and a silver medal at the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Selangor, along with a bronze medal at the 2018 Asia Team Championships in Alor Setar.

2.3. BWF World Tour

The BWF World Tour, established in 2018, is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It is categorized into various levels: World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100. Baek Ha-na has achieved considerable success on this tour, securing 10 titles and reaching the finals 13 times in women's doubles.

YearTournamentLevelPartnerOpponentScoreResult
2018Australian OpenSuper 300Lee Yu-limAyako Sakuramoto / Yukiko Takahata21-23, 18-21Runner-up
2019Lingshui China MastersSuper 100Kim Hye-rinLiu Xuanxuan / Xia Yuting21-14, 14-21, 21-15Winner
2019U.S. OpenSuper 300Jung Kyung-eunNami Matsuyama / Chiharu Shida16-21, 16-21Runner-up
2019Hyderabad OpenSuper 100Jung Kyung-eunAshwini Ponnappa / N. Sikki Reddy21-17, 21-17Winner
2019Denmark OpenSuper 750Jung Kyung-eunChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan9-21, 21-19, 21-15Winner
2019Syed Modi InternationalSuper 300Jung Kyung-eunChang Ye-na / Kim Hye-rin23-21, 21-15Winner
2020Thailand MastersSuper 300Jung Kyung-eunChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan21-17, 17-21, 15-21Runner-up
2022Korea MastersSuper 300Lee Yu-limKim So-yeong / Kong Hee-yong17-21, 12-21Runner-up
2022Japan OpenSuper 750Lee Yu-limJeong Na-eun / Kim Hye-jeong21-23, 26-28Runner-up
2022Denmark OpenSuper 750Lee So-heeChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan12-21, 15-21Runner-up
2023Malaysia OpenSuper 1000Lee Yu-limChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan16-21, 10-21Runner-up
2023Thailand MastersSuper 300Lee So-heeBenyapa Aimsaard / Nuntakarn Aimsaard6-21, 11-21Runner-up
2023German OpenSuper 300Lee So-heeNami Matsuyama / Chiharu Shida21-19, 21-15Winner
2023All England OpenSuper 1000Lee So-heeKim So-yeong / Kong Hee-yong5-21, 12-21Runner-up
2023Malaysia MastersSuper 500Lee So-heePearly Tan / Thinaah Muralitharan22-20, 8-21, 21-17Winner
2023Singapore OpenSuper 750Lee So-heeChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan16-21, 12-21Runner-up
2023Indonesia OpenSuper 1000Lee So-heeYuki Fukushima / Sayaka Hirota22-20, 21-10Winner
2023China OpenSuper 1000Lee So-heeChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan11-21, 17-21Runner-up
2023BWF World Tour FinalsWorld Tour FinalsLee So-heeChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan16-21, 16-21Runner-up
2024All England OpenSuper 1000Lee So-heeNami Matsuyama / Chiharu Shida21-19, 11-21, 21-17Winner
2024Indonesia OpenSuper 1000Lee So-heeChen Qingchen / Jia Yifan21-17, 21-13Winner
2024Japan OpenSuper 750Lee So-heeLiu Shengshu / Tan Ning18-21, 20-22Runner-up
2024BWF World Tour FinalsWorld Tour FinalsLee So-heeNami Matsuyama / Chiharu Shida21-19, 21-14Winner

2.4. BWF Grand Prix

The BWF Grand Prix series, which included Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold levels, was an important series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the BWF and played from 2007 to 2017. Baek Ha-na made a notable appearance in the finals of one such tournament.

YearTournamentPartnerOpponentScoreResult
2017Macau OpenLee Yu-limHuang Yaqiong / Yu Xiaohan10-21, 17-21Runner-up

2.5. BWF International Challenge/Series

Baek Ha-na has also participated in the BWF International Challenge and International Series tournaments, achieving a title in women's doubles.

YearTournamentPartnerOpponentScoreResult
2018Vietnam InternationalLee Yu-limChow Mei Kuan / Vivian Hoo21-19, 17-21, 21-17Winner

3. Rankings and Records

Baek Ha-na has achieved significant milestones in her BWF world rankings throughout her career. Her highest ranking in women's doubles was world No. 1, achieved with her partner Lee So-hee on October 29, 2024. She also held a career-high ranking of world No. 10 in women's doubles with Jung Kyung-eun on March 17, 2020, and world No. 15 with Lee Yu-lim on November 29, 2022. In mixed doubles, her highest ranking was world No. 87 with Kang Min-hyuk on March 12, 2019. As of November 12, 2024, she holds the world No. 1 ranking in women's doubles with Lee So-hee.

4. Public Image and Impact

As a world No. 1 ranked player and multiple international medalist, Baek Ha-na holds a prominent standing within the global badminton community. Her consistent success, particularly in women's doubles, has made her a key figure in South Korean badminton. Her achievements at major events like the Asian Games and BWF World Tour tournaments contribute to the visibility and popularity of the sport in South Korea and globally, inspiring younger athletes and badminton enthusiasts. She represents the ongoing strength and competitive spirit of South Korean badminton on the international stage.