Vietnam’s 15-year-old player posts biggest rise in women’s world badminton rankings in 2025

Thu Huyen, who turned 15 on January 20, climbed 714 places from 1,042 to 328 between mid-December and late December 2025 following strong performances at the Bangladesh International Series and the Bangladesh International Challenge late last year.

At those events, the teenage player defeated opponents ranked inside the world’s top 500 despite being several years younger than many of her rivals.

BWF data show her 714-place jump was the largest increase in the women’s singles rankings over the past year.

Since the Bangladesh tournaments, Thu Huyen has not competed in any other international event and has slipped to 334th in the latest rankings.

She is currently the fourth-highest ranked Vietnamese player in women’s singles.

Nguyen Thuy Linh leads the national standings at world number 22, followed by Vu Thi Trang at 138, and Bui Bich Phuong at 321.

Thu Huyen is the youngest among the four, with Bui Bich Phuong the next youngest at 19.