'Not an idol?' Japanese badminton goddess sparks massive popularity, just how famous is she? "Did an angel descend..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Recent updates on Maya Taguchi (20), a rising star in Japanese women's badminton who has garnered attention for her idol-level looks, have been released, drawing explosive reactions from local fans.

The Japanese media outlet 'Daily' reported on the 8th that "Taguchi was recently spotted visiting her usual sports store, and the scene was shared on social networking services (SNS)." The outlet added, "In photos posted on the store's official SNS, Taguchi, with a short haircut and holding a T-shirt, was seen with a bright smile. She exuded a pure atmosphere that is hard to believe belongs to an athlete."

As the photos were released, local fans showered praise. According to 'Yahoo Japan', Japanese netizens commented, "Her face is so small," "Even so, her smiling face is so cute," "An angel has descended," and "The short haircut suits her perfectly," showing a fiery response.

Thanks to her outstanding looks, Taguchi has also gained significant popularity among Korean fans. Local media have also reported that her appearance, resembling Korean idols, has caused her popularity to surge in Korea. Even when photos were previously posted on Yonex's official SNS, comments such as "She's a real angel" and "She's so cute I don't want to go to work" poured in, and the post even made it to the most-read articles on Yahoo Japan.

Not only for her looks, but she is also a top prospect in the Japanese badminton world for her skills. Specializing in women's doubles and mixed doubles, Taguchi claimed victory in the women's doubles at the 2023 World Junior Championships, establishing herself as the ace of the next generation.

In particular, she is aiming for the 2028 LA Olympics as a partner with Veteran Yuta Watanabe, a two-time consecutive Olympic mixed doubles bronze medalist. The pair topped the mixed doubles division at the Singapore International Challenge 2026 held in Singapore last March, showcasing their perfect chemistry.

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*This content was translated by AI.