Kokona Ishikawa

Kokona Ishikawa
Ishikawa at the 2025 Kaohsiung Masters
Personal information
Born (2004-10-11) 11 October 2004
Tokyo, Japan
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Sport
CountryJapan
SportBadminton
HandednessRight
Coached byKeiko Yoshitomi
Satoko Suetsuna
Women's & mixed doubles
Highest ranking35 (WD with Mio Konegawa, 10 December 2024)
129 (XD with Haruki Kawabe, 18 November 2025)
Current ranking37 (WD with Ririna Hiramoto)
134 (XD with Haruki Kawabe) (9 December 2025)
BWF profile
Medal record
Women's badminton
Representing  Japan
World Junior Championships
2022 Santander Girls' doubles
2022 Santander Mixed team

Kokona Ishikawa (石川 心菜, Ishikawa Kokona; born 11 October 2004) is a Japanese badminton player who specializes in doubles.[1] A bronze medalist in girls' doubles at the 2022 World Junior Championships, she has won a World Tour Super 100 title at the 2025 Kaohsiung Masters. Ishikawa achieved a career-high women's doubles ranking of No. 35 on 10 December 2024. A former member of the Japanese national team, she plays for the Gifu Bluvic badminton team.

Early career

Born in Tokyo, Ishikawa attended Aomori Yamada Junior and Senior High Schools, where she won several national titles.[2] In 2021, she and Hina Osawa won the girls' doubles title at the National High School Invitational Tournament, for which they received the All Japan High School Athletic Federation's Excellent Player Award.[3][4] She also won the All Japan Junior Open doubles with Miyu Ogasawara.[5]

The following year, she partnered with Riko Kiyose to win the girls' doubles title at the National High School Championships (Inter-High).[6] As team captain, she also led Aomori Yamada to a second consecutive victory in the girls' team event at the National Sports Festival.[7] For these achievements, Ishikawa and Kiyose were presented with the 17th Tō-Ō Nippō Sports Award.[8]

On the international junior circuit in 2022, Ishikawa won the girls' singles title at the Malaysia Junior International, defeating compatriot Tomoka Miyazaki in the final.[9] She won two bronze medals at the 2022 World Junior Championships, in the mixed team event and in girls' doubles with Kiyose. The pair was defeated in the semifinals by the eventual champions, Liu Shengshu and Wang Tingge of China.[10] At her high school graduation on 1 March 2023, Ishikawa received the school's Chairman's Special Award.[11] She joined the NTT East badminton team in April 2023.[2]

Career

2023–2024: Senior debut and first international title

Ishikawa partnered with Mio Konegawa from 2023 to 2024, and the pair was selected for the 2024 Japanese national team. With Konegawa, she won her first senior international title at the 2024 Saipan International. The pair also finished as runners-up at four tournaments: the 2023 Thailand International, the 2023 Bahrain International, the 2024 Vietnam International, and the 2024 Denmark Challenge.[12][13][14][15][16] They achieved a career-high women's doubles ranking of No. 35 on 10 December 2024.

2025: First World Tour title

In 2025, Ishikawa transferred to the Gifu Bluvic badminton team and formed a new partnership with Ririna Hiramoto.[17] The duo won the Northern Marianas Open in August; at the same tournament, Ishikawa finished as the mixed doubles runner-up with Haruki Kawabe.[18]

Later that year, Ishikawa and Hiramoto secured their first BWF World Tour title at the Super 100 Kaohsiung Masters in September.[19] They also finished as runners-up at the Super 100 Indonesia Masters I and reached the semifinals of the Indonesia Masters II.[20][21] The pair concluded the 2025 season with a semifinal appearance at the Super 500 Australian Open.[22]

Achievements

World Junior Championships

Girls' doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2022 Palacio de Deportes de Santander,
Santander, Spain
Riko Kiyose Liu Shengshu
Wang Tingge
21–17, 13–21, 17–21 Bronze [10]

BWF World Tour (1 title, 1 runner-up)

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]

Women's doubles

Year Tournament Level Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2025 Indonesia Masters Super 100 Ririna Hiramoto Lin Xiao-min
Wang Yu-qiao
17–21, 9–21 Runner-up [20]
2025 Kaohsiung Masters Super 100 Ririna Hiramoto Hinata Suzuki
Nao Yamakita
21–16, 21–17 Winner [19]

BWF International Challenge/Series (2 titles, 5 runners-up)

Women's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2023 Thailand International Mio Konegawa Kim Yu-jung
Lee Yeon-woo
19–21, 11–21 Runner-up [13]
2023 Bahrain International Mio Konegawa Gabriela Stoeva
Stefani Stoeva
19–21, 14–21 Runner-up [14]
2024 Vietnam International Mio Konegawa Laksika Kanlaha
Phataimas Muenwong
19–21, 14–21 Runner-up [15]
2024 Denmark Challenge Mio Konegawa Laksika Kanlaha
Phataimas Muenwong
16–21, 18–21 Runner-up [16]
2024 Saipan International Mio Konegawa Kim Hye-jeong
Kim Yu-jung
21–19, 11–21, 21–18 Winner [12]
2025 Northern Marianas Open Ririna Hiramoto Hinata Suzuki
Nao Yamakita
21–17, 21–15 Winner [18][25]

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result Ref
2025 Northern Marianas Open Haruki Kawabe Akira Koga
Yuho Imai
19–21, 13–21 Runner-up [18][25]
  BWF International Challenge tournament
  BWF International Series tournament

BWF Junior International (1 title)

Girls' singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref
2022 Malaysia Junior International Tomoka Miyazaki 21–17, 17–21, 24–22 Winner [9]
  BWF Junior International Series tournament

Performance timeline

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

Junior level

Team events 2022 Ref
World Junior Championships B [26]

Individual competitions

Junior level

Girls' doubles

Events 2022 Ref
World Junior Championships B [10]

Senior level

Women's doubles
Tournament BWF World Tour Best Ref
2024 2025 2026
Malaysia Open A Q ('26) [27]
India Open A Q ('26) [28]
Thailand Masters A Q ('26)
Ruichang China Masters SF 2R SF ('24) [29]
Japan Open 1R 2R 2R ('25) [30]
Macau Open A Q1 Q1 ('25) [31]
Baoji China Masters SF A SF ('24)
China Masters 2R A 2R ('24)
Indonesia Masters Super 100 A F F ('25) [20]
SF [21]
Korea Open 2R A 2R ('24)
Kaohsiung Masters A W W ('25) [19]
Denmark Open 1R A 1R ('24)
Korea Masters A 2R 2R ('25) [32]
Japan Masters 1R 1R 1R ('24, '25) [33]
Australian Open A SF SF ('25) [22]
Year-end ranking 35 35
Tournament 2024 2025 2026 Best Ref
Mixed doubles
Tournament BWF World Tour Best Ref
2025
Japan Masters 1R 1R ('25) [33]
Year-end ranking 129
Tournament 2025 Best Ref

References

  1. ^ "Kokona ISHIKAWA | Profile". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Kokona ISHIKAWA | Profile". Badminton S/J League (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 23 March 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  3. ^ "High School Invitational (2021): Osawa & Ishikawa win the girls' doubles! Suizu achieves a double crown, winning the girls' singles and team event! (Girls' Individual)". Badminton Spirit (in Japanese). 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  4. ^ "List of Reiwa 3 (2021) All Japan High School Athletic Federation Award Recipients for Distinguished Service and Excellent Players" (PDF). All Japan High School Athletic Federation (in Japanese). Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  5. ^ "All-Japan Women's Junior Open: Aomori Yamada's Ishikawa & Ogasawara win the all-school final! (Doubles)". Badminton Spirit (in Japanese). 7 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Girls' badminton doubles: Ishikawa/Kiyose team (Aomori Yamada) wins Inter-High School Championships" (in Japanese). Daily Tōhoku. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Tochigi National Sports Festival: 'Win with Spirit' – Aomori's Tenacious Comeback Victory in Girls' Youth Badminton". Daily Tohoku (in Japanese). 12 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  8. ^ "17th Tō-Ō Nippō Sports Award". Tō-Ō Nippō (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 20 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  9. ^ a b Peter, Fabian (10 September 2022). "Juniors need a booster shot". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  10. ^ a b c Sukumar, Dev (30 October 2022). "World Juniors: Tireless Kuo Keeps Going". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  11. ^ "The Aomori Yamada High School Graduation Ceremony Was Held". Aomori Yamada High School (in Japanese). 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Thrilling Conclusion: Champions Crowned at DOVE Saipan International 2024 Finals". Badminton Oceania. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Thailand International Series 2023 [IS] | Match Results". NTT East (in Japanese). 24 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  14. ^ a b Sipra, Adnan (27 November 2023). "Koga rallies to down Takei in thriller for men's singles title". Gulf Daily News. Archived from the original on 22 June 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Thailand won 2 championships in Vietnam". Badminton Thai Today (in Thai). 18 March 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  16. ^ a b ""Ken-Jomjam" win the women's doubles championship at the Denmark Challenge 2024". Badminton Thai Today (in Thai). 12 May 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  17. ^ Gifu Bluvic [@gifubluvic]; (1 February 2025). "[Announcement of joining Gifu Bluvic] Today, 1 February, Kokona Ishikawa joined Gifu Bluvic" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 20 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025 – via Instagram.
  18. ^ a b c "Japan Dominates Finals at CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open". Badminton Oceania. 11 August 2025. Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  19. ^ a b c "Kaohsiung Masters 2025 [Super 100] | Results". NTT East (in Japanese). 29 September 2025. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  20. ^ a b c Sakai, Kazumasa (21 September 2025). "Indonesia Masters I 2025 | Results". Badminton Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Wondr by BNI Indonesia Masters 2025: Apri/Fadia to Meet Hira/Jani in the Final". Badminton Association of Indonesia (in Indonesian). 25 October 2025. Archived from the original on 25 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Australian Open 2025: Indonesia Will Definitely Get 2 Titles". Voice of Indonesia. 22 November 2025. Archived from the original on 24 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  23. ^ Alleyne, Gayle (19 March 2017). "BWF Launches New Events Structure". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  24. ^ Sukumar, Dev (10 January 2018). "Action-Packed Season Ahead!". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  25. ^ a b Sablan Jr., James (12 August 2025). "Japan sweeps Crowne Plaza badminton titles". Marianas Variety. Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  26. ^ "[World Junior Championships 2022] Japan loses to powerhouse South Korea 0-3. Finishes with a bronze medal <Team event / Semifinal results>" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 22 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Malaysia Open 2026 | Participants" (PDF). Badminton Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  28. ^ "India Open 2026 | Participants" (PDF). Badminton Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  29. ^ Komiyama, Hajime (17 March 2025). "Ruichang China Masters 2025 | Results". Badminton Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 September 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  30. ^ "Match Report: Day 3 of the Tournament". Daihatsu Japan Open (in Japanese). 17 July 2025. Archived from the original on 25 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  31. ^ Hayakawa, Kenichi (4 August 2025). "Macau Open 2025 | Results". Badminton Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 25 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Badminton Korea Masters 2025: Live Updates, Japanese Team Results, and Summary". International Olympic Committee (in Japanese). 10 November 2025. Archived from the original on 24 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  33. ^ a b "Badminton Kumamoto Masters 2025: Live Updates, Japanese Team Results, and Summary". International Olympic Committee (in Japanese). 16 November 2025. Archived from the original on 24 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.