Shiho Tanaka

1. Overview

Shiho Tanaka (田中志穂_{Tanaka Shiho}^Japanese, born September 5, 1992) is a Japanese former professional badminton player. Predominantly competing in women's doubles, she was a key member of the Hokuto Bank team. Tanaka achieved her highest world ranking of number four in women's doubles on June 14, 2018, partnering with Koharu Yonemoto. Her significant international accomplishments include a bronze medal at the 2018 BWF World Championships in women's doubles and a bronze medal at the 2015 Summer Universiade in women's singles. She also notably won the Superseries Finals in 2017. Tanaka was part of the Japanese national teams that secured gold medals at the 2017 Asia Mixed Team Championships, the 2018 Uber Cup, and the 2018 Asia Women's Team Championships. She retired from professional badminton on January 29, 2021, and transitioned into a coaching role at Hokuto Bank.

2. Early Life and Background

Shiho Tanaka was born on September 5, 1992, in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. She later resided in Akita, Akita. She is known to have Blood type A. Tanaka attended Aomori Yamada Junior and Senior High School before continuing her education at Hosei University. Her early badminton career began in 2011.

3. Career Overview

Shiho Tanaka began her professional badminton career in 2011, primarily playing in women's doubles and occasionally mixed doubles. She was affiliated with the Hokuto Bank (北都銀行_{Hokuto Ginkō}^Japanese) team throughout her career. Her main partner in women's doubles was Koharu Yonemoto, with whom she achieved her career-high world ranking of number four on June 14, 2018. Tanaka was also a selected member of the Japanese national A team. She played a crucial role in several team successes for Japan.

In 2017, she was part of the mixed team that won a gold medal at the 2017 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and a silver medal at the 2019 edition in Hong Kong. In 2018, she contributed to Japan's gold medal victories in women's team events at the Uber Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Asia Women's Team Championships in Alor Setar, Malaysia. In domestic competitions, Tanaka was a runner-up at the 2016 All-Japan Comprehensive Badminton Championships. She played with her right hand. Her height was 5.2 ft ^{(1.6 m)} and her weight was 128 lb ^{(58 kg)}.

4. Major Achievements

Shiho Tanaka earned numerous medals and titles throughout her professional career across various international tournaments, demonstrating her prowess in both singles and doubles events.

5. Retirement and Coaching Career

Shiho Tanaka announced her retirement from professional badminton at a press conference held at the Akita Prefectural office on January 29, 2021. Following her retirement as a player, she confirmed her intention to continue her involvement in badminton by taking on a coaching role within her former team, Hokuto Bank.