Riko Gunji

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Riko Gunji
Gunji at the 2023 Kaohsiung Masters
Personal information
CountryJapan
Born (2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 (age 23)
Ebina, Kanagawa, Japan
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
HandednessRight
CoachTakako Ida
Shōji Satō
Women's singles
Career record168 wins, 42 losses (80.00%)
Highest ranking19 (5 August 2025)
Current ranking23 (19 August 2025)
Medal record
Women's badminton
Representing  Japan
Uber Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Bangkok Women's team
Asia Team Championships
Gold medal – first place 2020 Manila Women's team
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Selangor Women's team
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Kazan Girls' singles
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Markham Mixed team
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Kazan Mixed team
Asian Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2018 Jakarta Mixed team
BWF profile

Riko Gunji (郡司 莉子, Gunji Riko; born 31 July 2002) is a Japanese badminton player.[1] She is the gold medalist at the 2019 BWF World Junior Championships in the girls' singles.

Career

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Gunji was the finalist in the Under-15 at the 2016 Singapore Youth International Series. In the same tournament, she won the girls' doubles title with partner Akari Nakashizu.[2] She was the girls' singles Under-17 champion of 2017 Singapore Youth International Series beating Peeraya Khantaruangsakul of Thailand.[3] She won the bronze medal in 2018 BWF World Junior Championships mixed team event. In the girls' singles, she lost in the second round to China's Wang Zhiyi.

In 2019, she reached the final of Dutch Junior International where she earned second best position after losing to China's Han Qianxi. She lost another final at the India Junior International event to Thai player Benyapa Aimsaard. In 2019 World Junior Championships, she entered the tournament seeded 7th. She went on to stun several higher seeded players in the tournament. She defeated Thailand's Phittayaporn Chaiwan in semifinal, who was a top seeded player in 2 straight games. In the final she won the World Junior title, beating out China's Zhou Meng.[4]

2023

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Gunji began the 2023 season by reaching the second round of the Thailand Masters.[5] During the European leg of the BWF World Tour, she was eliminated in the first round of the German Open by then-world No. 2 An Se-young and advanced to the second round of the Swiss Open.[6][7] However, she subsequently retired from her first-round match at the Spain Masters due to a right hamstring muscle tear.[8][9] This injury necessitated a six-month break from competition, causing her world ranking to fall from the 30s to over 100.

Upon her return in September, Gunji reached the quarterfinals of the Super 100 Indonesia Masters and finished as the runner-up at the Super 100 Kaohsiung Masters.[10][11] In late October, she sustained a second injury: a sprained right ankle with partial tears to two ligaments.[12] She concluded her season in December at the All-Japan Badminton Championships, where she lost in the first round. Despite her condition, she completed the match, viewing it as a step towards the following year and reiterating her goal to improve her world ranking.[13]

2024

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In 2024, Gunji secured her first BWF World Tour title at the Indonesia Masters Super 100, defeating Hina Akechi in the final.[14] On the BWF International Challenge circuit, she won four titles: the Thailand International, Denmark Challenge, Saipan International, and Malaysia International. Additionally, she was the runner-up at the Luxembourg Open. In other BWF World Tour events, Gunji reached the quarterfinals of the Macau Open and advanced to the second round at the Japan Masters.

2025

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Gunji began the 2025 season with a semifinal appearance at the Super 300 German Open, followed by quarterfinal finishes at the Orléans Masters and the Taipei Open.[15][16] In July, she reached her first Super 750 semifinal at the Japan Open, defeating fourth seed Han Yue in the quarterfinals before losing to world No. 1 An Se-young.[17][18] She then competed in her first Super 1000 tournament at the China Open, where she was eliminated in the second round by eventual champion Wang Zhi Yi.

Achievements

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World Junior Championships

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Girls' singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref
2019 Kazan Gymnastics Center, Kazan, Russia China Zhou Meng 21–13, 12–21, 21–14 Gold Gold [19][20]

BWF World Tour (1 title, 2 runners-up)

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The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,[21] 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 (part of the HSBC World Tour), and the BWF Tour Super 100.[22]

Women's singles

Year Tournament Level Opponent Score Result Ref
2022 Indonesia Masters Super 100 China Gao Fangjie 10–21, 12–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [14]
2023 Kaohsiung Masters Super 100 Chinese Taipei Liang Ting-yu 20–22, 21–15, 14–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [11]
2024 (I) Indonesia Masters Super 100 Japan Hina Akechi 21–10, 22–20 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [23]

BWF International Challenge/Series (8 titles, 3 runners-up)

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Women's singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref
2021 Belgian International Chinese Taipei Hsu Wen-chi 12–21, 21–16, 23–21 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [24][25]
2022 Mexican International Japan Natsuki Nidaira 21–14, 19–21, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [26]
2022 Réunion Open Japan Natsuki Oie 21–5, 21–14 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [27]
2022 (II) Indonesia International China Gao Fangjie 9–21, 11–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [28]
2022 Norwegian International Japan Natsuki Nidaira 21–14, 18–21, 16–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [29]
2022 Irish Open Japan Natsuki Nidaira 21–13, 21–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [30]
2024 Thailand International Indonesia Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari 21–14, 21–15 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [31]
2024 Luxembourg Open Japan Hina Akechi 16–21, 14–21 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [32]
2024 Denmark Challenge Japan Hina Akechi 20–22, 21–16, 21–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [33]
2024 Saipan International Japan Asuka Takahashi 21–14, 14–21, 21–16 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [34][35][36]
2024 Malaysia International Indonesia Ruzana 19–21, 21–15, 21–11 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner [37]
  BWF International Challenge tournament
  BWF International Series tournament

BWF Junior International (2 runners-up)

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Girls' singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref
2019 Dutch Junior International China Han Qianxi 13–21, 21–23 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [38][39]
2019 India Junior International Thailand Benyapa Aimsaard 19–21, 21–18, 21–23 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up [40]
  BWF Junior International Grand Prix tournament

Performance timeline

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Key
W F SF QF #R RR Q# A G S B NH N/A DNQ
(W) won; (F) finalist; (SF) semi-finalist; (QF) quarter-finalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (A) absent; (G) gold, (S) silver or (B) bronze medal; (NH) not held; (N/A) not applicable; (DNQ) did not qualify.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

National team

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  • Junior level
Team events 2018 2019 Ref
Asian Junior Championships S QF [41]
World Junior Championships B B [42]
  • Senior level
Team events 2020 2021 2022 Ref
Asia Team Championships G NH B [43][44]
Uber Cup NH A B [45][46]

Individual competitions

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  • Junior level
Events 2018 2019 Ref
Asian Junior Championships 1R A [47]
World Junior Championships 4R G [48][19][49][20]
  • Senior level
Tournament BWF World Tour Best Ref
2022 2023 2024 2025
Thailand Masters NH 2R A 2R ('23) [5]
German Open A 1R A SF SF ('25) [6][15]
Orléans Masters A QF QF ('25) [16]
Ruichang China Masters NH A 1R A 1R ('24)
Swiss Open A 1R A 1R ('23) [7]
Spain Masters NH 1R A NH 1R ('23) [8]
Taipei Open A QF QF ('25)
Thailand Open A 2R 2R ('25)
Canada Open QF A QF ('22)
Japan Open A SF SF ('25) [17][18]
China Open NH A 2R 2R ('25)
Macau Open NH QF SF SF ('25) [50]
Vietnam Open A 1R A 1R ('23)
Hong Kong Open NH A Q ('25)
China Masters NH A Q ('25)
Indonesia Masters Super 100 F QF W A W ('24) [14][23]
w/d A [10]
Kaohsiung Masters N/A F A F ('23) [11]
Arctic Open NH A Q ('25)
Japan Masters NH 2R 2R ('24) [51][52]
Year-end ranking 42 103 39 19
Tournament 2022 2023 2024 2025 Best Ref

Record against selected opponents

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Record against Year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists. Accurate as of 24 July 2025.[53]

References

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  1. ^ "郡司莉子" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Results – 2016 OUE Singapore Youth International Series". Badminton World Federation. 4 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Results – 2017 OUE Singapore Youth International Series". Badminton World Federation. 3 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Hat-trick For Vitidsarn – World Juniors Finals". Badminton World Federation. 13 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Thailand Tournament: Pai Yupo defeated the Japanese teenager in straight sets to reach the top eight for the first time this season" (in Chinese). Liberty Times. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  6. ^ a b "German Open 2023 | Match Details". Saishunkan Badminton (in Japanese). 22 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Swiss Open 2023 | Match Details". Saishunkan Badminton (in Japanese). 29 March 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Spain Masters 2023 | Match Report". Saishunkan Badminton (in Japanese). 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  9. ^ Gunji, Riko [@gunji_riko0731]; (5 April 2023). "An announcement. I recently withdrew from my match at the Spain Masters due to injury" (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 August 2025 – via Instagram.
  10. ^ a b "[BNI Indonesia Masters I 2023] One Place in the Women's Singles Final". Djarum Badminton Club (in Indonesian). 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "Leaving Kaohsiung's first crown, Liang Ting-yu: "I did it"" (in Chinese). 太報TaiSounds. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  12. ^ Gunji, Riko [@gunji_riko0731]; (16 October 2023). "Injury report" (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 August 2025 – via Instagram.
  13. ^ "[All Japan Badminton Championships 2023] "I was so excited about this tournament that I was really nervous" (Kaoru Sugiyama) <Player Comments/Day 2-3>". Badminton Spirit (in Japanese). 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "Indonesia Masters 2022 - Winner of two titles, Gao feels at home in Malang" (in Indonesian). Djarum Badminton. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  15. ^ a b Dong, Duc (1 March 2025). "Vietnam's top female badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh wins German Open semifinal". VnExpress. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Friday, March 7: Exciting quarter-finals!". Orléans Masters Badminton (in French). 7 March 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  17. ^ a b "[Badminton] Riko Gunji Overwhelms World No. 4; Advances to Semifinals in Her Women's Singles Debut". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). 19 July 2025. Archived from the original on 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  18. ^ a b "[Badminton] Riko Gunji Eliminated in Semifinals; 'It Gives Me Confidence' says Gunji on Her Great Leap into the Top 4 in Her First Appearance; Akane Yamaguchi Also Fails to Reach Final". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 19 July 2025. Archived from the original on 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  19. ^ a b "[World Junior 2019] Riko Gunji wins! Reigns supreme among the juniors! <Individual Finals>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  20. ^ a b Morgan, Liam (13 October 2019). "Vitidsarn ready for step up to senior level after victory at BWF World Junior Championships". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Sukumar, Dev (10 January 2018). "Action-Packed Season Ahead!". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  23. ^ a b Mustikasari, Delia (1 September 2024). "Indonesia Masters 2024 Super 100 Final Recap - Qualifiers' Surprise Prevents Alwi Farhan from Winning Title, Rahmat/Yeremia Defeat to Thai Representatives" (in Indonesian). Bolasport. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  24. ^ "[Belgian International] Riko Gunji wins the women's singles! Japan B Team wins in three events! <Results of the Japanese athletes>". Badminton Spirit (in Japanese). 31 October 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  25. ^ "[Belgian International 2021] Pramudya/Yeremia Win Champion Title". PB Djarum (in Indonesian). 31 October 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  26. ^ "Champions of the II Mexican International Badminton Challenge". El Heraldo de Aguascalientes (in Spanish). 16 April 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  27. ^ Matsuda, Keita. "Saint-Denis Réunion Open 2022 | Result". Nippon Badminton Association. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  28. ^ Liew, Vincent (16 October 2022). "Weng Hong Yang, Gao Fang Jie Win 2022 Indonesia International Challenge". BadmintonPlanet.com. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  29. ^ McNulty, Chris (13 November 2022). "Bronze for Rachael Darragh in Norway". Donegal Live. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  30. ^ Fuchs, Thomas (19 November 2022). "Two title debuts in Dublin". Badminton Europe. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  31. ^ "[Toyota IC 2024] Mutiara acknowledges Riko's superiority". PB Djarum (in Indonesian). 31 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  32. ^ Komiyama, Hajime. "Luxembourg Open 2024 | Result". Nippon Badminton Association (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  33. ^ "[State Denmark Challenge 2024 Presented by RSL] Denmark, Japan Share Two Titles". PB Djarum Badminton Club (in Indonesian). 11 May 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  34. ^ Gases, Leigh (16 July 2024). "Gunji fires through 3-set thriller for women's title". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  35. ^ Sablan Jr., James (15 July 2024). "Riko Gunji, Justin Hoh win singles title". Marianas Variety. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  36. ^ "Thrilling Conclusion: Champions Crowned at DOVE Saipan International 2024 Finals". Badminton Oceania. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  37. ^ "Men's doubles pair miss out on title at Petronas Malaysia International Badminton Challenge 2024". Bernama. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  38. ^ "Riko's silver the best result for U19 Japan at Dutch Junior" (in Japanese). BadPal. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  39. ^ Aditama, Oryza (4 March 2019). "Indonesia wins 2 titles at Dutch Junior International 2019" (in Indonesian). Tirto.id. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  40. ^ "Rising Thai badminton star shines, wins 2 badminton championships in India" (in Thai). Thai Rath. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  41. ^ "China crowned Badminton Asia Junior Championships Mixed Team Champion for the eighth time". Badminton Asia. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  42. ^ Sukumar, Dev (3 October 2019). "Japan Versus China in Semis – Suhandinata Cup 2019". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  43. ^ Morgan, Liam (16 February 2020). "Japan and Indonesia retain titles at Badminton Asia Team Championships". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Japanese women's team withdraws from semifinals of Badminton Asia Team Championships after testing positive for COVID-19" (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  45. ^ "[Badminton] Uber Cup Day 6: Japan loses to South Korea and is eliminated in the semi-finals" (in Japanese). International Olympic Committee. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  46. ^ "Japan Women's Badminton Team Loses to South Korea and Fails to Advance to Uber Cup Finals" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  47. ^ "[Asia Junior Championships 2018] Fierce Competition from the First Day" (in Indonesian). Djarum Badminton. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  48. ^ Diamond, James (15 November 2018). "Top seeds advance to quarters at BWF World Junior Badminton Championships". Inside the Games. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  49. ^ Sukumar, Dev (12 October 2019). "Popov, Gunji's Dream Run Continues – World Juniors: Semifinals". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  50. ^ "Chiu Pin-chian won 2 straight games against Riko Gunji to reach the semi-finals of the women's singles at the Macau Open" (in Chinese). Central News Agency. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  51. ^ "Kumamoto Masters Japan 2024 - Putri KW again not able to beat Gunji" (in Indonesian). Djarum Badminton. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  52. ^ "[Kumamoto Masters 2024] "I had few options, such as not trying to win and instead trying to be patient" (Riko Gunji) <Day 3/Player Comments-8>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  53. ^ "Riko GUNJI head to head". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
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