Viktor Axelsen loses top spot in badminton world rankings ahead of Paris 2024 after 132 weeks as number one

By James Pratt
1 min|
GettyImages-2066180128
Picture by Getty Images 2023

There is a new men's world number one in badminton's BWF World Singles World Rankings for the first time in more than two and a half years.

Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen held the top spot for 132 weeks, but the new rankings released on Tuesday (11 June) show Shi Yuqi at the summit for the first time.

People's Republic of China shuttler Shi's rise to the top comes after consecutive tournament wins at the Singapore Open and Indonesia Open, while Axelsen was forced to withdraw from the Indonesia Open with injury.

The last time Denmark's Axelsen was not ranked first among men was the week of 23 November 2021, when Japan's Momota Kento held top spot for the last time before his retirement.

Axelsen will be aiming to retain his Olympic title at the Paris 2024 Games, with the badminton tournament due to begin on 27 July.