Sayaka Takahashi

Japanese badminton player (born 1992) Sayaka Takahashi (高橋 沙也加, Takahashi Sayaka; born 29 July 1992) is a retired Japanese badminton player. She competed in the women's singles event and reached a career-high world ranking of No. 10. She was a member of the Japanese national team and played for the BIPROGY badminton team. Takahashi won bronze medals at the 2013 and 2014 Asian Championships. She won three BWF Grand Prix titles between 2013 and 2017 and four BWF World Tour titles in 2018, including the Super 500 Singapore Open. She later reached her first Super 750 final at the French Open. In team competition, Takahashi was part of the Japanese team that won the 2018 Uber Cup, Japan's first title in the competition since 1981. She helped Japan retain the women's team title at the 2020 Asian Team Championships. She also earned silver medals at the 2014 and 2020 Uber Cups and the 2021 Sudirman Cup, as well as bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games and 2022 Uber Cup. Early life Takahashi was born in Kashihara, Nara, and began playing badminton in the second grade of elementary school. She trained with Kashihara Junior, where her mother was involved as a coach. Growing up along