Kodai Naraoka is through to the round of 16 at the Singapore Open. The Japanese star beat Chou Tien-chen in straight games on May 26, 2026. The final score was 21-19, 21-16.

The match took 54 minutes. It was a clean, composed win against a tough opponent. With it, Naraoka moved on while Chou was knocked out of the tournament.

After the match, Naraoka opened up about his game plan. Some thought his aggressive play looked risky. But there was a method behind it.

He said he was wearing down his opponent on purpose. The idea was simple. If he keeps doing that, he will be in better shape even if he reaches the final.

Naraoka also spoke about the tough draw he was handed. With his current ranking, there is not much he can do about it. A seed would give him some mental breathing room.

But he stayed grounded about what it all means. In top-tier tournaments, there are no easy wins. At the same time, there are no opponents he absolutely cannot beat.

Up next is China's Chia Hao Lee in the round of 16. Lee is ranked world No. 32. On paper, it is a winnable match for Naraoka.

Naraoka's Performance in 2026 So Far

Naraoka has had a grinding but consistent 2026 season. He has held his spot inside the top 15 of the BWF World Rankings. His defensive stamina remains his biggest weapon.

The Singapore Open win is just the latest example. Before that, he made headlines at the PERODUA Malaysia Masters. He outlasted India's H.S. Prannoy in a brutal 80-minute, three-game thriller.

That match ended 21-17, 20-22, 24-22. It was the kind of war Naraoka has built his name on. His ability to grind out long rallies sets him apart.

At the All England Open, he played another tough three-setter. He fell to Loh Kean Yew in a close one. Still, he made the top players work for the win.

He also represented Japan at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo. He played well but came up short against Kunlavut Vitidsarn. The regional rivals are no joke.

His 2026 campaign has featured marathon battles against some of the biggest names. Anders Antonsen, Shi Yu Qi, and Jonatan Christie have all gone the distance with him. He pushes the top echelon to their physical limits, every time.

Next up is the POLYTRON Indonesia Open 2026 starting on June 2. Naraoka will face Malaysia's Leong Jun Hao in the first match. Leong is in the middle of a tough season himself, so it is a real chance for Naraoka to keep his momentum going.

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Written by

Sahil Prashar

Edited by

Sahil Prashar