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Hiroki Midorikawa

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Hiroki Midorikawa
Midorikawa at the 2025 Taipei Open
Personal information
CountryJapan
Born (2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 25)
Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Height1.61 m (5 ft 3 in)
Weight56 kg (123 lb)
HandednessRight
CoachNorio Imai
Noriyasu Hirata
Men's & mixed doubles
Highest ranking28 (MD with Kyohei Yamashita, 10 June 2025)
8 (XD with Natsu Saito, 13 May 2025)
Current ranking28 (MD with Kyohei Yamashita)
9 (XD with Natsu Saito) (24 June 2025)
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  Japan
Sudirman Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2025 Xiamen Mixed team
Asian Championships
Silver medal – second place 2025 Ningbo Mixed doubles
Asia Mixed Team Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2025 Qingdao Mixed team
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Yogyakarta Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Markham Mixed team
Asian Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2018 Jakarta Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Jakarta Mixed team
BWF profile

Hiroki Midorikawa (緑川 大輝, Midorikawa Hiroki; born 17 May 2000) is a Japanese badminton player and a member of the national team.[1] He primarily competes in mixed doubles with Natsu Saito, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 8 as of 13 May 2025. Together, they won two Super 500 titles – the 2023 Canada Open and the 2025 Indonesia Masters – and secured a silver medal at the 2025 Asian Championships.[2][3][4] Midorikawa also competes in men's doubles with Kyohei Yamashita.

Early life

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Born in Saitama Prefecture on 17 May 2000, Hiroki Midorikawa began playing badminton at the age of seven, influenced by his parents and older sister. Midorikawa resides in Sayama City and attended Sanno Elementary, followed by Saitama Sakae Junior and Senior High School.[5] In his third year of junior high, he won the team competition and was the runner-up in singles at the National Junior High School Tournament. In 2017, he won the doubles competition at the All Japan Junior Championships.[6]

Midorikawa describes himself as "self-paced and positive." When a shoulder injury prevented him from smashing, instead of being discouraged, he proactively used the opportunity to improve the precision of his drop shots and clears, as well as his footwork. Midorikawa views his relatively short stature as an advantage, believing his high energy and mobility help overcome limitations sometimes associated with shorter players, contrasting the common view that taller players have a natural advantage.[6] His primary focus is mixed doubles with Natsu Saito, who was his classmate at Saitama Sakae Junior and Senior High School. They began playing together in their second year of high school.[7]

From 2019 to 2023, Midorikawa studied sports science at Waseda University.[8]

Career

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2023: Joins NTT East and wins first Super 500 title

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Following his graduation from Waseda University, Hiroki Midorikawa joined the NTT East badminton team in April 2023. He and his mixed doubles partner, Natsu Saito, were promoted to the Japanese A national team under coach Jeremy Gan. In their first year on the A team, the pair won their first Super 500 title at the Canada Open, defeating Danish duo of Mathias Thyrri and Amalie Magelund in the final.[2] They also finished runner-up at the Australian Open, losing to China's Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping,[9] and reached the semi-finals of both the Hong Kong Open and the Arctic Open.

2024: Indonesia Masters runner up

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In 2024, Midorikawa and Saito achieved a runner-up finish at the Indonesia Masters, losing to the top seeded Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong in the final.[10] They also competed in the BWF World Tour Finals in December but were eliminated in the round-robin stage.

Midorikawa also partnered with Kyohei Yamashita in men's doubles. After returning to international competition in August, they won two consecutive International Challenge titles at the Sydney International and the North Harbour International.[11][12] These performances led to a career-high men's doubles ranking of No. 104 as of 28 October 2024. Domestically, the pair swept all three of Japan's major national titles in 2024: the Japan Ranking Circuit, the All Japan Members Badminton Championships, and the All Japan Badminton Championships.[13][14][15]

2025: Second Super 500 title, Asian Championships silver

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For 2025, Midorikawa was selected for the Japanese national team in two disciplines. He continues his mixed doubles partnership with Saito under new coach Norio Imai, after Jeremy Gan moved to coach the Hong Kong team.[16] In men's doubles, he partners with Kyohei Yamashita, coached by Lee Wan Wah and Hiroyuki Endo. As a member of the national team, Midorikawa contributed to the Japanese squads that earned bronze medals at the Asia Mixed Team Championships in February and at the Sudirman Cup in April-May.[17][18]

In mixed doubles, Midorikawa and Saito won the Indonesia Masters title in January, defeating Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui of China in the final.[19] In April, they secured a silver medal at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China. Their run included a quarterfinal win over China's second-seeded Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping, before losing the final to Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong.[4] Midorikawa and Saito reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 8 as of 13 May 2025.

In men's doubles, Midorikawa and Yamashita reached the semifinals of the Swiss Open in March. In the first round, they upset the world No. 2 ranked Malaysian pair, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, before losing to the eventual champions, Kittinupong Kedren and Dechapol Puavaranukroh of Thailand.[20][21] In May, they also reached the semifinals of the Taipei Open. On 10 June 2025, Midorikawa and Yamashita reached a career-high men's doubles world ranking of No. 28.

Personal life

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Midorikawa registered his marriage with his partner on 2 February 2025, announcing it via his X (formerly known as Twitter) account on 4 February 2025.[22]

Achievements

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Asian Championships

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Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2025 Ningbo Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium,
Ningbo, China 		Japan Natsu Saito Hong Kong Tang Chun Man
Hong Kong Tse Ying Suet 		15–21, 21–17, 13–21 Silver Silver [4]

BWF World Tour (2 titles, 3 runners-up)

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The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,[23] is a series of elite badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The BWF World Tour is divided into levels of World Tour Finals, Super 1000, Super 750, Super 500, Super 300, and the BWF Tour Super 100.[24]

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Level Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2022 Canada Open Super 100 Japan Natsu Saito Chinese Taipei Ye Hong-wei
Chinese Taipei Lee Chia-hsin 		21–12, 12–21, 15–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [25]
2023 Canada Open Super 500 Japan Natsu Saito Denmark Mathias Thyrri
Denmark Amalie Magelund 		21–17, 16–21, 21–13 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [2]
2023 Australian Open Super 500 Japan Natsu Saito China Feng Yanzhe
China Huang Dongping 		14–21, 21–16, 15–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [9]
2024 Indonesia Masters Super 500 Japan Natsu Saito China Zheng Siwei
China Huang Yaqiong 		15–21, 16–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [10]
2025 Indonesia Masters Super 500 Japan Natsu Saito China Guo Xinwa
China Chen Fanghui 		21–15, 21–17 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [3]

BWF International Challenge/Series (8 titles)

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Men's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2019 Malaysia International Japan Kyohei Yamashita China Liang Weikeng
China Shang Yichen 		18–21, 21–10, 21–16 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [26]
2023 Osaka International Japan Kyohei Yamashita Chinese Taipei Wei Chun-wei
Chinese Taipei Wu Guan-xun 		21–14, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [27]
2024 Sydney International Japan Kyohei Yamashita Chinese Taipei Lai Po-yu
Chinese Taipei Tsai Fu-cheng 		21–14, 21–16 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [11]
2024 North Harbour International Japan Kyohei Yamashita Chinese Taipei Lai Po-yu
Chinese Taipei Tsai Fu-cheng 		16–21, 21–14, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [12]

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2019 Waikato International Japan Natsu Saito Australia Simon Leung
Australia Gronya Somerville 		21–15, 21–13 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [28]
2019 Vietnam International Japan Natsu Saito Thailand Vichayapong Kanjanakeereewong
Thailand Ruethaichanok Laisuan 		21–16, 21–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [29]
2021 Belgian International Japan Natsu Saito Denmark Jesper Toft
Denmark Clara Graversen 		21–18, 21–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [30][31]
2022 Belgian International Japan Natsu Saito Chinese Taipei Chiu Hsiang-chieh
Chinese Taipei Lin Xiao-min 		21–13, 21–17 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [32]
  BWF International Challenge tournament
  BWF International Series tournament

References

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  1. ^ "Players: Hiroki Midorikawa". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Winners crowned at Calgary-hosted Yonex Canada Open badminton event". Calgary Sun. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Setiawan, Didik (26 January 2025). "Ganda Campuran Jepang Hiroki Midorikawa/Natsu Saito Juara Indonesia Masters 2025". Merah Putih (in Indonesian). Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Historic Gold for Hong Kong China in Mixed Doubles". Badminton Asia. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Midorikawa (from Saitama Sakae High School) reports on his victory in the All Japan Badminton Championships" (in Japanese). The Saitama Shimbun. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Growing with the determination not to give up Hiroki Midorikawa wins three inter-high school championships in badminton" (in Japanese). The Koukousei Shimbun. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Hiroki Midorikawa Profile" (in Japanese). J Sports. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  8. ^ "[Series] "Reiwa 4 Graduation Memorial Special" No. 38 Hiroki Midorikawa / Badminton" (in Japanese). Waseda Sports. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Australian Open: Beiwen Snaps Blip on Surgery Anniversary". Badminton World Federation. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  10. ^ a b Widiastuti, Rina (28 January 2024). "Hasil Final Indonesia Masters 2024: Wang Zhi Yi Juara, Cina Sabet Tiga Gelar" (in Indonesian). Tempo Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Roketto Sydney International Finals Recap". Badminton Oceania. 20 October 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  12. ^ a b "MAXX North Harbour International Finals Wrap". Badminton Oceania. 26 October 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  13. ^ "[Japan Ranking Circuit 2024] Men's Doubles Champions: Yamashita & Midorikawa! Otake & Takahashi Win Women's Doubles for the Second Time! <Finals Results / Doubles>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 29 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  14. ^ "[All-Japan Members Championships 2024] Koga & Fukushima Win Their First Mixed Doubles Title! Yamashita & Midorikawa, Nakanishi & Iwanaga Also Crowned the Champions! <Doubles Results>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 11 September 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  15. ^ "[All Japan Badminton Championships 2024] Kyohei Yamashita & Hiroki Midorikawa Win the Fiercely Contested Men's Doubles! Secure Their First Victory in the Event! <Finals / Men's Doubles Results>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 30 December 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  16. ^ Rajes, Paul (20 December 2024). "Choong Hann announces Bin Shen, Jeremy and Wei Sheng in HK coaching team". The Star. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  17. ^ "China Charges into BAMTC 2025 Finals After Epic Showdown Against Japan". Badminton Asia. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  18. ^ "Defending champions China power past Japan to reach Sudirman Cup final". nst.com.my. New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  19. ^ "[indonesia Masters 2025] Mixed Doubles Players Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito Defeat the Chinese Pair to Reach the Top! First Victory in a Long Time at a Top Tour Tournament! <final Results>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  20. ^ "Sze Fei-Izzuddin lead men's doubles exodus at Swiss Open". New Straits Times. 19 March 2025. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  21. ^ Liew, Vincent (22 March 2025). "Chen Yufei, Christo Popov Advance to 2025 Swiss Open Final". BadmintonPlanet.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Hiroki Midorikawa, a member of the Japanese mixed doubles badminton team, got married "on 2 February, to someone he had been dating for a long time"" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  23. ^ Alleyne, Gayle (19 March 2017). "BWF Launches New Events Structure". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  24. ^ Sukumar, Dev (10 January 2018). "Action-Packed Season Ahead!". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Taiwanese duo Ye, Lee claim Canada Open title". The Taipei Times. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  26. ^ "マレーシアインターナショナルチャレンジ2019" (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  27. ^ "[大阪国際2023] 日本勢が大活躍！田中湧士、齋藤栞、山下＆緑川が優勝！＜決勝戦結果＞" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Meet the winners from the YONEX Waikato International 2019". Badminton Oceania. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  29. ^ Hoàng, Việt (14 April 2019). "Kết thúc giải cầu lông Ciputra Hanoi 2019: Indonesia, Nhật Bản thắng lớn" (in Vietnamese). Thể Thao. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  30. ^ "[Belgian International] Riko Gunji wins the women's singles! Japan B Team wins in three events! <Results of the Japanese athletes>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  31. ^ "[Belgian International 2021] Pramudya/Yeremia Win Champion Title" (in Indonesian). PB Djarum. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  32. ^ Martinez, Sara Gonzalez (19 September 2022). "YONEX Belgian International 2022: Asia wins all the titles". Badminton Europe. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
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