Shi Yuqi is one of China’s top badminton stars, dominating men’s singles with his tricky shots and smart play. He’s been world number one and keeps racking up big wins into 2026.
Shi Yuqi’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Shi Yuqi (石宇奇) |
| Nickname | Stone |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1996 |
| Age | 29 years |
| Birthplace | Nantong, Jiangsu, China |
| Nationality | China |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Weight | N/A |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Playing Style | Balanced, deceptive, tactical |
| Event Category | Men’s Singles |
| BWF Ranking | World No. 1 |
| Highest Career Ranking | World No. 1 |
| National Team | China National Badminton Team |
| Turned Professional | 2012 |
| Prize Money | Over US$1.5 million career total |
| Major Titles | All England Open (2018, 2025), French Open (2016, 2024), India Open (2024), Indonesia Open (2024), World Tour Finals (2024) |
| Olympic Medals | Youth Olympic gold 2014 |
| Sponsors | Yonex (racket, apparel, gear) |
| Spouse | N/a |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Shi Yuqi started badminton at age six in Nantong, Jiangsu. He won the Jiangsu youth title in 2011, joined the provincial team, and took national youth gold in 2012. At 16, he made China’s national team and grabbed boys’ singles gold at the 2014 Youth Olympics.
Professional Career
Shi burst onto the senior scene with his first Superseries win at the 2016 French Open. He beat legend Lin Dan to claim the 2018 All England Open and grabbed World Championships silver that year. Team golds rolled in at Thomas Cup (2018, 2024) and Sudirman Cup (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025).
In 2024, he hit world No. 1 with wins at India Open, French Open, Singapore Open, Indonesia Open, and World Tour Finals. He defended Malaysia Open in 2025, won All England again, and closed the year with King’s Cup title, staying top-ranked into 2026.
Shi Yuqi’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Shi Yuqi’s net worth sits around $5 million, built from tournament prizes and endorsements. His prize money alone tops $1.5 million, boosted by massive hauls like World Tour Finals wins and Super 1000 titles. Endorsement deals with Yonex add steady cash as China’s top player.
BWF Prize Money
| Year | Earnings (US$) |
| All-Time Total | 1,592,150 |
| 2025 | 209,888 |
| 2024 | 238,610 |
| 2023 | Not specified publicly |
| Pre-2023 | Balance to total |
Career Earnings
| Source | Estimated Amount (US$) |
| BWF Tournaments | 1,592,150 (career) |
| King’s Cup 2025 | ~350,000 (1.2M yuan winner) |
| World Tour Finals | Up to 240,000 per win |
| Super 1000 Titles | 100,000+ each |
| Endorsements (Yonex) | Undisclosed, multi-year |
| Total Net Worth | ~5,000,000 |
Endorsements
Shi Yuqi teams up mainly with Yonex, using their Astrox 100 ZZ racket, apparel, and gear as part of an eight-year deal with China’s national team. This setup gives him top equipment and big visibility, since Yonex outfits the whole squad including stars like Chen Yufei. No other major personal brands pop up publicly, but his world No. 1 status likely pulls in extras through team sponsorships. He sticks to performance-focused partnerships over flashy ones.
Career Records
| Opponent | Head-to-Head (Shi Wins) | Key Matches |
| Viktor Axelsen | 2-9 | Lost Olympic 2020; beat in Kumamoto 2023 final |
| Anders Antonsen | Competitive (recent L) | Lost King’s Cup 2025 final |
| Li Shifeng | Favorable | Beat in Singapore Open 2024 final |
| Lin Dan | 2-0 | Beat at All England 2017/2018 |
| Kento Momota | Wins in key events | Contributed to team triumphs |
| Jonatan Christie | Wins incl. semis | Asia Champs 2024 bronze path |
FAQs
1. Who is Shi Yuqi?
Shi Yuqi is a top Chinese men’s singles badminton player born on February 28, 1996, in Nantong, Jiangsu Province. He rose from a sports school talent to world champion, known for his all-around game and contributions to China’s team successes.
2. What is Shi Yuqi’s height?
Shi Yuqi stands at approximately 180 cm (5 feet 11 inches), giving him an edge in reach and agility on the court. This stature supports his quick footwork and defensive prowess.
3. What are Shi Yuqi’s major achievements?
Shi Yuqi won the BWF World Championships men’s singles gold in 2025 in Paris, silver in 2018, and multiple BWF World Tour titles like the 2018 All England Open and 2024 Indonesia Open. He also secured Youth Olympic gold in 2014 and team golds in Thomas Cup (2018, 2024) and Sudirman Cup (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025).
4. What is Shi Yuqi’s playing style?
Shi Yuqi features a versatile style blending speed, deception, and tactical smashes with strong defense. He excels in net play, long rallies, and switching paces to outmaneuver opponents unpredictably.
5. Why was Shi Yuqi suspended?
Shi Yuqi received a one-year ban from the Chinese Badminton Association after retiring at match point (5-20) against Kento Momota in the 2021 Thomas Cup semifinal, citing injury. His post-match comments were deemed immature and unsportsmanlike.
6. Has Shi Yuqi been world number one?
Yes, Shi Yuqi first reached world number one in men’s singles on June 11, 2024, after winning the Indonesia Open. He has held the top ranking multiple times, reflecting his consistent dominance.
7. What are Shi Yuqi’s recent tournament results?
In late 2025, Shi Yuqi reached the semifinals of the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou. He won Super 1000 events like the 2025 China Open and All England Open earlier that year.
8. What junior titles did Shi Yuqi win?
Shi Yuqi claimed boys’ singles gold at the 2014 Asian Junior Championships and Youth Olympics, plus mixed team gold. He earned silver in singles at the 2014 World Junior Championships.
9. How many BWF World Tour titles does Shi Yuqi have?
Shi Yuqi has won at least 10 BWF World Tour titles, including the 2016 French Open, 2018 India Open and All England, 2022 Denmark Open, and 2024 Singapore Open. He has six runner-up finishes.
10. What team events has Shi Yuqi contributed to?
Shi Yuqi helped China win Thomas Cup golds in 2018 and 2024, Sudirman Cup titles in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025, plus Asian Games golds. He played key singles matches in these victories.