Kodai Naraoka is one of Japan’s top men’s singles badminton players, known for his solid defense and rising star power. At just 24, he’s already grabbed major medals and titles, pushing hard in the competitive scene as of 2026.
Kodai Naraoka’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Kodai Naraoka (奈良岡 功大) |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | June 30, 2001 |
| Age | 24 years |
| Birthplace | Aomori, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 173 cm |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Playing Style | Defensive specialist |
| Event Category | Men’s Singles (MS) |
| BWF Ranking | 9 (as of March 2026) |
| Highest Career Ranking | 2 (December 2023) |
| National Team / Association | Japan / NTT East, Badminton Association of Japan |
| Turned Professional | Around 2018-2019 |
| BWF Prize Money (Career) | ~$510,633 USD |
| Major Titles | China Masters 2023, Vietnam Open 2022, Japan Masters 2025 |
| Olympic Medals | None (9th at 2024 Olympics) |
| Sponsors | Victor, TACHIHI, FWD Group |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | @kodai_.0630 |
Kodai keeps his personal life low-key, focusing mostly on training and matches. Fans love following his journey on Instagram where he shares tournament highlights. He’s affiliated with NTT East and reps big brands in the sport.
Early Career
Kodai Naraoka picked up a racket at age 5, thanks to his dad in Aomori, Japan. He shone in juniors, grabbing bronze at the 2017 World Junior Championships and silver in 2018. That same year at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, he snagged two bronzes in boys’ singles and mixed team, marking him as a future star.
Professional Career
Kodai burst onto the pro scene around 2018-2019, winning five International Series titles like Lao, Jamaica, Mongolia, Dubai, and Canada in 2019. His breakthrough came in 2022 with his first World Tour win at Vietnam Open, plus runner-up spots at Korea Masters, Singapore Open, and Taipei Open. In 2023, he made history as the first Japanese to claim China Masters and earned World Championships silver against Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
He added Asian Games bronze in 2022, Asian Championships bronze in 2024, and Japan Masters in 2025, while hitting career-high rank 2. Runners-up at big events like Malaysia Open 2023, Australian Open 2024, and China Open 2024 show his consistency. At 2024 Olympics, he placed 9th. By 2026, he’s ranked 9th, with 227 wins from 329 pro matches.
Kodai Naraoka’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kodai Naraoka’s net worth in estimated around $1-2 million USD, mainly from BWF prize money over $510,000 and endorsements. This doesn’t include salary from NTT East or bonuses. Figures are rough since exact contracts aren’t public.
BWF Prize Money
| Year | Earnings (USD) |
| All-Time Total | 510,633 |
| 2025 | 24,813 |
| 2023 | 95,600 |
| Pre-2023 (cumulative est.) | ~390,000 |
Career Earnings
| Source | Estimated Amount (USD) | Notes |
| BWF Prize Money | 510,633 | Total as of early 2026 |
| Annual Salary (NTT East) | 100,000 – 200,000 | Typical for top Japanese players |
| Endorsements | 200,000 – 500,000 | Victor, TACHIHI, FWD deals |
| Bonuses/Titles | 50,000+ | From Super 750+ wins |
| Total Net Worth | 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 | 2026 estimate |
Endorsements
Kodai Naraoka teams up with key sponsors like Victor for rackets and gear, TACHIHI, and FWD Group, which helps fund his training. These deals popped up as he rose in rankings, especially after his 2023 China Masters win.
They cover equipment, travel, and ads, boosting his profile in Japan and Asia. No other major brands listed publicly, but his Instagram often shows Victor posts.
Career Records
| Opponent | Matches | Wins (Kodai) | Losses | Win Diff |
| Shi Yuqi | 14 | 5 | 9 | -4 |
| Viktor Axelsen | 7 | 1 | 6 | -5 |
| Kunlavut Vitidsarn | 13 | 5 | 8 | -3 |
| Lee Zii Jia | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Anthony Ginting | 3 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| Chou Tien-chen | 5 | 0 | 5 | -5 |
| Loh Kean Yew | 7 | 0 | 7 | -7 |
| Prannoy H.S. | 7 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| Srikanth Kidambi | 4 | 4 | 0 | +4 |
| Anders Antonsen | 9 | 4 | 5 | -1 |
FAQs
1. Who is Kodai Naraoka?
Kodai Naraoka is a Japanese men’s singles badminton player from Aomori, born on 30 June 2001, who represents NTT East and competes on the BWF World Tour.
2. What are Kodai Naraoka’s biggest career achievements?
Naraoka won silver at the 2023 BWF World Championships in men’s singles, bronze at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, silver at the 2018 World Junior Championships, and multiple BWF World Tour titles including the 2023 China Masters.
3. What is Kodai Naraoka’s playing style?
Naraoka is known for a high-workrate rallying style built on consistency, strong defense, and intelligent shot selection, combining high lifts and pace control with quick attacks, slices, and deceptive changes of direction.
4. What is Kodai Naraoka’s highest world ranking?
Kodai Naraoka has reached a career-high world ranking of No. 2 in men’s singles in the BWF World Rankings.
5. Which major titles has Kodai Naraoka won on the BWF World Tour?
He has won titles such as the Vietnam Open (Super 100), China Masters (Super 750), and Japan Masters (Super 500), along with several other international titles at the BWF International Challenge/Series level.
6. Did Kodai Naraoka play at the Olympics?
Naraoka has not yet won an Olympic medal at the senior Games, but he did win a bronze medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in boys’ singles.
7. How did Kodai Naraoka perform as a junior player?
As a junior, Naraoka quickly emerged as a top prospect by winning multiple international junior titles, taking bronze at the 2017 World Junior Championships and silver at the 2018 World Junior Championships, plus Youth Olympic bronze in 2018.
8. What makes Kodai Naraoka difficult to play against?
He is difficult to beat because of his exceptional endurance, ability to extend rallies, tight net play, deceptive slices, and talent for breaking opponents’ rhythm with last-moment shot changes and varied pace.
9. Who are some notable opponents Kodai Naraoka has faced in major finals?
Naraoka has faced elite players such as Viktor Axelsen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Kenta Nishimoto, and Weng Hongyang in major World Tour and World Championship finals and title matches.
10. How has Kodai Naraoka’s game evolved in recent years?
Naraoka has evolved from a slower, purely rally-focused style into a more aggressive, fast-paced attacking game, using more drives, quick follow-ups to the net, and sharper smashes while maintaining his solid defense.