{{short description|Japanese badminton player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox badminton player | name = Natsu Saito | image = | size = | caption = | nickname = | birth_name = | country = Japan | birth_date = {{birth_date_and_age|2000|6|9|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Saitama Prefecture]], Japan<ref name="profile">{{cite web |title=選手プロフィール 齋藤 夏|url=https://www.badminton.or.jp/profile/saito_natsu.html|publisher=日本バドミントン協会（NBA）|access-date=2019-04-02|archive-date=2020-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925224222/https://badminton.or.jp/profile/saito_natsu.html}}</ref> | residence = | height = 1.68 m | weight = 64 kg | years_active = | retired = | handedness = Right | coach = Norio Imai | event = Women's & mixed doubles | highest_ranking = 7 (XD with [[Hiroki Midorikawa]], 21 October 2025)<br />127 (WD with Minami Kawashima, 17 March 2020) | date_of_highest_ranking = | current_ranking = 49 | date_of_current_ranking = XD with [[Akira Koga]], 26 May 2026 | played = | titles = | medal_templates = {{MedalSport | Women's badminton }} {{MedalCountry | {{Flagu|Japan}} }} {{MedalCompetition | [[Sudirman Cup]] }} {{MedalBronze | [[2025 Sudirman Cup|2025 Xiamen]] | Mixed team }} {{MedalCompetition | [[Badminton Asia Championships|Asian Championships]] }} {{MedalSilver | [[2025 Badminton Asia Championships|2025 Ningbo]] | Mixed doubles }} {{MedalCompetition | [[Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships|Asia Mixed Team Championships]] }} {{MedalBronze | [[2025 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships|2025 Qingdao]] | Mixed team }} {{MedalCompetition | [[BWF World Junior Championships|World Junior Championships]] }} {{MedalBronze | [[2017 BWF World Junior Championships|2017 Yogyakarta]] | [[2017 BWF World Junior Championships – Teams event|Mixed team]] }} {{MedalBronze | [[2018 BWF World Junior Championships|2018 Markham]] | [[2018 BWF World Junior Championships – Teams event|Mixed team]] }} {{MedalCompetition | [[Badminton Asia Junior Championships|Asian Junior Championships]] }} {{MedalSilver | [[2018 Badminton Asia Junior Championships|2018 Jakarta]] | Mixed team }} {{MedalBronze | [[2017 Badminton Asia Junior Championships|2017 Jakarta]] | Mixed team }} | bwfbadminton_id = 55417 }}
{{nihongo|'''Natsu Saito'''|齋藤 夏|Saito Natsu|born 9 June 2000}} is a Japanese badminton player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natsu SAITO {{!}} Profile |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/player/55417/natsu-saito |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=bwfbadminton.com}}</ref> As of 2025, she is affiliated with the Plenty Global Linx badminton team. Saito is a mixed doubles specialist, best known for her partnership with [[Hiroki Midorikawa]]. Together, they reached a career-high world ranking of 7, won two [[BWF World Tour|World Tour]] Super 500 titles, and secured the silver medal at the [[2025 Badminton Asia Championships|2025 Asian Championships]].
== Career == === 2015–2018: Junior career === Saito made her international debut at the junior level in 2015, reaching the final of the girls' doubles at the Asian U17 Junior Championships with Rumi Yoshida.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Gerard |title=Singapore shuttlers win singles and doubles gold in Indonesia |url=https://www.todayonline.com/sports/shuttler-jia-min-pulls-two-double-feats-asian-age-group-meet |website=Todayonline.com |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916081803/https://www.todayonline.com/sports/shuttler-jia-min-pulls-two-double-feats-asian-age-group-meet |archive-date=16 September 2024 |date=11 October 2015}}</ref> In 2017, she represented Japan at the [[2017 BWF World Junior Championships|World Junior Championships]], helping the team secure a bronze medal. That same year, she won the mixed doubles title at the India Junior International with [[Takuma Obayashi]].<ref name="indiajr17">{{cite web |title=Indonesia Wins One Title in India |url=https://olahraga.kompas.com/read/2017/09/03/22272181/indonesia-raih-satu-gelar-juara-di-india |website=Kompas.com |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425210446/https://olahraga.kompas.com/read/2017/09/03/22272181/indonesia-raih-satu-gelar-juara-di-india |archive-date=25 April 2022 |language=id |date=3 September 2017}}</ref>
In 2018, Saito and partner [[Hiroki Midorikawa]] won the mixed doubles title at the German Junior.<ref name="germanjr18">{{cite web |title=YONEX German Junior: The Winners |url=https://www.badminton.de/news/badminton/yonex-german-junior-die-sieger/ |website=German Badminton Association |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250620111316/https://www.badminton.de/news/badminton/yonex-german-junior-die-sieger/ |archive-date=20 June 2025 |language=de |date=14 March 2018}}</ref> She was also part of the Japanese squads that won silver at the [[2018 Badminton Asia Junior Championships|Asian Junior Championships]] and a bronze at the [[2018 BWF World Junior Championships|World Junior Championships]].<ref name="wjcteam18">{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Zhiyi to China’s Rescue – LI-NING BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships 2018 |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2018/11/09/zhiyi-to-chinas-rescue-li-ning-bwf-world-junior-mixed-team-championships-2018 |website=Badminton World Federation |access-date=10 May 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260510080204/https://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2018/11/09/zhiyi-to-chinas-rescue-li-ning-bwf-world-junior-mixed-team-championships-2018 |archive-date=10 May 2026 |date=9 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 2019–2020: Senior debut === Saito began competing in senior international tournaments in 2019. In mixed doubles with Midorikawa, she won titles at the [[Waikato International]] and the [[Vietnam International Challenge|Vietnam International]].<ref name="waikato19" /><ref name="vietnam19" /> She also competed in women's doubles with [[Naru Shinoya]], winning the [[Malaysia International]] and reaching the final of the [[Indonesia International]].<ref name="malaysia19" /><ref name="indonesia19" /> Additionally, she reached the final of the [[White Nights (badminton)|White Nights]] tournament with Minami Kawashima.<ref name="whitenights19" /> By March 2020, Saito reached a career-high world ranking of 127 in women's doubles.
=== 2021–2022: International Challenge titles and Super 100 final === In October 2021, Saito and Midorikawa won the mixed doubles title at the [[Belgian International]].<ref name="belgium211" /> The pair defended this title during the 2022 season.<ref name="belgium22" /> In September 2022, they reached the final of the Super 100 [[2022 Canada Open|Canada Open]], finishing as runners-up.<ref name="canada22" /> Saito competed in her first Super 500 event at the [[2022 Korea Open (badminton)|Korea Open]] in April 2022, reaching the quarterfinals. In women's doubles, she reached the semifinals of the [[Bendigo International (badminton)|Bendigo International]] with Kawashima.<ref>{{cite web |title=Semifinal results at the YONEX Bendigo International 2022 |url=https://badmintonoceania.org/semifinal-results-at-the-yonex-bendigo-international-2022/ |website=Badminton Oceania |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250804000843/https://badmintonoceania.org/semifinal-results-at-the-yonex-bendigo-international-2022/ |archive-date=4 August 2025 |date=15 October 2022}}</ref>
=== 2023: First World Tour title === Saito and Midorikawa began 2023 by reaching the semifinal of the [[2023 Thailand Masters (badminton)|Thailand Masters]]. In July, they won their first [[BWF World Tour|World Tour]] title at the Super 500 [[2023 Canada Open|Canada Open]], defeating the Danish pair [[Mathias Thyrri]] and [[Amalie Magelund]].<ref name="canada23" /> The following month, Saito reached the final of the Super 500 [[2023 Australian Open (badminton)|Australian Open]], finishing as runner-up to [[Feng Yanzhe]] and [[Huang Dongping]].<ref name="australia23" /> In the latter half of the season, she reached the semifinal at both the [[2023 Hong Kong Open (badminton)|Hong Kong Open]] and the [[2023 Arctic Open|Arctic Open]].
=== 2024: Super 500 final and first World Tour Finals === Saito and Midorikawa opened the season with a quarterfinal finish at the [[2024 Malaysia Open (badminton)|Malaysia Open]]. In late January, they reached the final of the Super 500 [[2024 Indonesia Masters|Indonesia Masters]], finishing as runners-up to the Chinese pair [[Zheng Siwei]] and [[Huang Yaqiong]].<ref name="indonesiamas24" /> Throughout the year, the pair achieved semifinal finishes at the [[2024 Thailand Masters (badminton)|Thailand Masters]] and the [[2024 Baoji China Masters|Baoji China Masters]], as well as quarterfinal appearances at the [[2024 China Open (badminton)|China Open]] and the [[2024 Japan Masters|Japan Masters]]. Their performance over the season qualified them for their first [[2024 BWF World Tour Finals|BWF World Tour Finals]] in December, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
=== 2025: Super 500 title and partnership conclusion === Saito and Midorikawa began the 2025 season with quarterfinal finishes at the [[2025 Malaysia Open (badminton)|Malaysia Open]] and [[2025 India Open|India Open]]. In late January, the pair won the Super 500 [[2025 Indonesia Masters|Indonesia Masters]] title, defeating [[Guo Xinwa]] and [[Chen Fanghui]] in straight games.<ref name="indonesiamas25" /> In March, Saito transferred to the Plenty Global Linx badminton team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transfer of Natsu Saito |url=https://actsaikyo-badminton.jp/news/3054.html |publisher=ACT Saikyo |access-date=2 April 2025 |language=ja |date=28 March 2025}}</ref> At the [[2025 Badminton Asia Championships|Asian Championships]] in Ningbo, she and Midorikawa advanced to the final but were defeated by Hong Kong's [[Tang Chun Man]] and [[Tse Ying Suet]], securing the silver medal.<ref name="bac25" /> Saito also represented Japan in team events, winning bronze medals at both the [[2025 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships|Asia Mixed Team Championships]] in February and the [[2025 Sudirman Cup|Sudirman Cup]] in April.<ref>{{cite web |title=China Charges into BAMTC 2025 Finals After Epic Showdown Against Japan |url=https://badmintonasia.org/2025/02/16/china-charges-into-bamtc-2025-finals-after-epic-showdown-against-japan-2/ |publisher=[[Badminton Asia]] |access-date=18 February 2025 |date=16 February 2025}}</ref><ref name="sudirman252">{{cite web |title=Defending champions China power past Japan to reach Sudirman Cup final |url=https://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/2025/05/1210914/defending-champions-china-power-past-japan-reach-sudirman-cup-final |website=nst.com.my |publisher=New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd. |access-date=11 May 2025 |date=3 May 2025}}</ref> Later in the season, the pair reached the quarterfinals of the [[2025 BWF World Championships|World Championships]] and the semifinals of the [[2025 Denmark Open|Denmark Open]].<ref name="denmark25">{{cite web |title=Badminton Denmark Open 2025: Live Updates, Japanese Team Results, and Summary |url=https://www.olympics.com/ja/news/badminton-denmark-open-2025-results |website=International Olympic Committee |access-date=24 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124062417/https://www.olympics.com/ja/news/badminton-denmark-open-2025-results |archive-date=24 November 2025 |language=ja |date=14 October 2025}}</ref> In October, they achieved a career-high world ranking of 7. Saito and Midorikawa concluded their partnership at the [[2025 BWF World Tour Finals|BWF World Tour Finals]] in December, where they advanced to the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web |title=[Badminton] Nami Matsuyama forms mixed doubles pair with Hiroki Midorikawa: 'I will express the joy of being on the court through my play |url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/11/05/articles/20251105s00086000144000c.html |website=Sports Nippon |access-date=15 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115075359/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/11/05/articles/20251105s00086000144000c.html |archive-date=15 November 2025 |language=ja |date=5 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="wtfinals25">{{cite web |last1=Fentuo |first1=Fentuo Tahiru |title=BWF World Tour Finals 2025: Christo Popov reaches historic final; An Seyoung to face Wang Zhiyi for women’s singles title |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/bwf-world-tour-finals-2025-christo-popov-an-se-young-semi-finals-results |website=International Olympic Committee |access-date=20 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251220193231/https://www.olympics.com/en/news/bwf-world-tour-finals-2025-christo-popov-an-se-young-semi-finals-results |archive-date=20 December 2025 |date=20 December 2025}}</ref>
=== 2026: New partnership === Following the conclusion of her partnership with Midorikawa, Saito formed a new mixed doubles pairing with [[Akira Koga]]. The duo made their international debut at the [[2026 Malaysia Open (badminton)|Malaysia Open]] in January, reaching the second round after defeating compatriots [[Yuichi Shimogami]] and [[Sayaka Hobara]].<ref name="malaysiaop26">{{cite web |title=Badminton Malaysia Open 2026: Live Updates, Japanese Team Results, and Summary |url=https://www.olympics.com/ja/news/badminton-bwfworldtour-petronas-malaysia-open-2026-tracker |website=International Olympic Committee |access-date=20 January 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260115095444/https://www.olympics.com/ja/news/badminton-bwfworldtour-petronas-malaysia-open-2026-tracker |archive-date=15 January 2026 |language=ja |date=12 January 2026}}</ref> They subsequently advanced to the semifinals of the [[2026 Thailand Masters (badminton)|Thailand Masters]].<ref name="thams26">{{cite web |title=Thailand Masters 2026 - Adnan/Indah's First Super 300 Final |url=https://www.djarumbadminton.com/internasional/berita/read/thailand-masters-2026-final-super-300-pertama-adnanindah/ |website=Djarum Badminton |access-date=21 April 2026 |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0421-1643-09/https://www.djarumbadminton.com:443/internasional/berita/read/thailand-masters-2026-final-super-300-pertama-adnanindah/ |archive-date=21 April 2026 |language=id |date=31 January 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Achievements == === Asian Championships === ''Mixed doubles'' {| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%" ! Year ! Venue ! Partner ! Opponent ! Score ! Result ! Ref |- |- style="background:#ECF2FF" | align="center" | [[2025 Badminton Asia Championships#Finals 5|2025]] | align="left" | Ningbo Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium,<br />[[Ningbo]], China | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiroki Midorikawa]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|HKG}} [[Tang Chun Man]]<br />{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Tse Ying Suet]] | align="left" | 15–21, 21–17, 13–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | [[File:Med 2.png|Silver]] '''Silver''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="bac25">{{cite web |title=Historic Gold for Hong Kong China in Mixed Doubles |url=https://badmintonasia.org/2025/04/13/historic-gold-for-hong-kong-china-in-mixed-doubles/ |publisher=Badminton Asia |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624090120/https://badmintonasia.org/2025/04/13/historic-gold-for-hong-kong-china-in-mixed-doubles/ |archive-date=24 June 2025 |date=13 April 2025}}</ref> |}
=== BWF World Tour (2 titles, 3 runners-up) === The BWF World Tour, which was announced on 19 March 2017 and implemented in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |last=Alleyne |first=Gayle |title=BWF Launches New Events Structure |url=http://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/03/19/bwf-launches-new-event-structure/ |publisher=[[Badminton World Federation]] |date=19 March 2017 |access-date=29 November 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201164159/http://bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2017/03/19/bwf-launches-new-event-structure/ |archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sukumar |first=Dev |title=Action-Packed Season Ahead! |url=http://bwfworldtour.com/news-single/2018/01/10/action-packed-season-ahead/ |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113162925/http://bwfworldtour.com/news-single/2018/01/10/action-packed-season-ahead/ |archive-date=13 January 2018}}</ref>
''Mixed doubles'' {| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year ! Tournament ! Level ! Partner ! Opponent ! Score ! Result ! Ref |- | align="center" | [[2022 Canada Open#Finals 5|2022]] | align="left" | [[Canada Open]] | align="left" | Super 100 | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiroki Midorikawa]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|TPE}} [[Ye Hong-wei]]<br />{{flagicon|TPE}} [[Lee Chia-hsin]] | align="left" | 21–12, 12–21, 15–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="canada22">{{cite web |title=Taiwanese duo Ye, Lee claim Canada Open title |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2022/10/04/2003786409 |publisher=The Taipei Times |date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624090503/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2022/10/04/2003786409 |archive-date=24 June 2025 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> |- | align="center" | [[2023 Canada Open#Finals 5|2023]] | align="left" | Canada Open | align="left" | Super 500 | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Mathias Thyrri]]<br /> {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Amalie Magelund]] | align="left" | 21–17, 16–21, 21–13 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="canada23">{{cite web |title=Winners crowned at Calgary-hosted Yonex Canada Open badminton event |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/other-sports/winners-crowned-at-calgary-yonex-canada-open |publisher=Calgary Sun |date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624090942/https://calgarysun.com/sports/other-sports/winners-crowned-at-calgary-yonex-canada-open |archive-date=24 June 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> |- | align="center" | [[2023 Australian Open (badminton)#Finals 5|2023]] | align="left" | [[Australian Open (badminton)|Australian Open]] | align="left" | Super 500 | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Feng Yanzhe]]<br />{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Huang Dongping]] | align="left" | 14–21, 21–16, 15–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="australia23">{{cite web |title=Australian Open: Beiwen Snaps Blip on Surgery Anniversary |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2023/08/06/australian-open-beiwen-snaps-blip-on-surgery-anniversary |publisher=Badminton World Federation |date=6 August 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624091353/https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2023/08/06/australian-open-beiwen-snaps-blip-on-surgery-anniversary |archive-date=24 June 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> |- | align="center" | [[2024 Indonesia Masters#Finals 5|2024]] | align="left" | [[Indonesia Masters]] | align="left" | Super 500 | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Zheng Siwei]]<br />{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Huang Yaqiong]] | align="left" | 15–21, 16–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="indonesiamas24">{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Prem |title=Indonesia Masters: Immortality Unlocked |url=https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2024/01/28/indonesia-masters-immortality-unlocked |publisher=Badminton World Federation |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624091556/https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2024/01/28/indonesia-masters-immortality-unlocked |archive-date=24 June 2025 |date=28 January 2024}}</ref> |- | align="center" | [[2025 Indonesia Masters#Finals 5|2025]] | align="left" | Indonesia Masters | align="left" | Super 500 | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guo Xinwa]]<br />{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Chen Fanghui]] | align="left" | 21–15, 21–17 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="indonesiamas25">{{cite web |title=[indonesia Masters 2025] Mixed Doubles Players Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito Defeat the Chinese Pair to Reach the Top! First Victory in a Long Time at a Top Tour Tournament! <final Results> |url=https://www.badspi.jp/202501262358/ |publisher=Badminton Spirit |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319051334/https://www.badspi.jp/202501262358/ |archive-date=19 March 2025 |language=ja |date=26 January 2025}}</ref> |}
=== BWF International Challenge/Series (5 titles, 2 runners-up) === ''Women's doubles'' {| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year ! Tournament ! Partner ! Opponent ! Score ! Result ! Ref |- style="background:#D8CEF6" | align="center" | 2019 | align="left" | [[White Nights (badminton)|White Nights]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Minami Kawashima | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yukino Nakai]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Nao Ono]] | align="left" | 21–18, 17–21, 13–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="whitenights19">{{cite web |last1=Liew |first1=Vincent |title=Iskandar Zulkarnain wins 2019 White Nights International Challenge |url=https://www.badmintonplanet.com/badminton-news/14479-iskandar-zulkarnain-wins-2019-white-nights-international-challenge.html |publisher=BadmintonPlanet.com |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624094438/https://www.badmintonplanet.com/badminton-news/14479-iskandar-zulkarnain-wins-2019-white-nights-international-challenge.html |archive-date=24 June 2025 |date=14 July 2019}}</ref> |- style="background:#D8CEF6" | align="center" | 2019 | align="left" | [[Indonesia International]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Naru Shinoya]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|INA}} [[Anggia Shitta Awanda]]<br />{{flagicon|INA}} [[Pia Zebadiah Bernadet]] | align="left" | 19–21, 18–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="indonesia19">{{cite web |last1=Tegar |first1=Bimo |title=(Caffino Indonesia International Challenge) Successfully Held, Indonesia Takes Three Titles |url=https://www.djarumbadminton.com/internasional/berita/read/caffino-indonesia-international-challenge-sukses-dihelat-indonesia-ambil-tiga-gelar/ |publisher=Djarum Badminton |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516111127/https://www.djarumbadminton.com/internasional/berita/read/caffino-indonesia-international-challenge-sukses-dihelat-indonesia-ambil-tiga-gelar/ |archive-date=16 May 2022 |language=id |date=28 October 2019}}</ref> |- style="background:#D8CEF6" | align="center" | 2019 | align="left" | [[Malaysia International]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Naru Shinoya | align="left" | {{flagicon|INA}} [[Yulfira Barkah]]<br />{{flagicon|INA}} [[Agatha Imanuela]] | align="left" | 21–15, 21–23, 21–9 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="malaysia19">{{cite web |title=[Malaysia International Challenge 2019] Agatha/Yulfira Finished as Runner-up |url=https://pbdjarum.org/berita/turnamen-internasional/20191117-malaysia-international-challenge-2019-agathayulfira-raih-runner-up |publisher=Djarum Badminton Club |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624083903/https://pbdjarum.org/berita/turnamen-internasional/20191117-malaysia-international-challenge-2019-agathayulfira-raih-runner-up%23gref |archive-date=24 June 2025 |language=id |date=17 November 2019}}</ref> |}
''Mixed doubles'' {| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year ! Tournament ! Partner ! Opponent ! Score ! Result ! Ref |- style="background:#D5D5D5" | align="center" | 2019 | align="left" | [[Waikato International]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiroki Midorikawa]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Simon Leung]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Gronya Somerville]] | align="left" | 21–15, 21–13 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="waikato19">{{cite web |title=Meet the winners from the YONEX Waikato International 2019 |url=https://badmintonoceania.org/meet-the-winners-from-the-yonex-waikato-international-2019/ |publisher=Badminton Oceania |date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624092759/https://badmintonoceania.org/meet-the-winners-from-the-yonex-waikato-international-2019/ |archive-date=24 June 2025 |access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref> |- style="background:#D8CEF6" | align="center" | 2019 | align="left" | [[Vietnam International]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|THA}} [[Vichayapong Kanjanakeereewong]]<br />{{flagicon|THA}} [[Ruethaichanok Laisuan]] | align="left" | 21–16, 21–8 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="vietnam19">{{cite web |last=Hoàng |first=Việt |title=Kết thúc giải cầu lông Ciputra Hanoi 2019: Indonesia, Nhật Bản thắng lớn |url=https://webthethao.vn/cac-mon-the-thao-khac/ket-thuc-giai-cau-long-ciputra-hanoi-2019-indonesia-nhat-ban-thang-lon-82494.htm |publisher=Thể Thao |date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250624093033/https://webthethao.vn/cac-mon-the-thao-khac/ket-thuc-giai-cau-long-ciputra-hanoi-2019-indonesia-nhat-ban-thang-lon-82494.htm |archive-date=24 June 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025 |language=vi}}</ref> |- style="background:#D8CEF6" | align="center" | 2021 | align="left" | [[Belgian International]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Jesper Toft]]<br />{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Clara Graversen]] | align="left" | 21–18, 21–9 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="belgium211">{{cite web |title=[Belgian International] Riko Gunji wins the women's singles! Japan B Team wins in three events! <Results of the Japanese athletes> |url=https://www.badspi.jp/202110311500/ |publisher=Badminton Spirit |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409184937/https://www.badspi.jp/202110311500/ |archive-date=9 April 2025 |language=ja |date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="belgium212">{{cite web |title=[Belgian International 2021] Pramudya/Yeremia Win Champion Title |url=https://pbdjarum.org/berita/turnamen-internasional/20211031-belgian-international-2021-pramudyayeremia-raih-gelar-juara |publisher=PB Djarum |access-date=24 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409185016/https://pbdjarum.org/berita/turnamen-internasional/20211031-belgian-international-2021-pramudyayeremia-raih-gelar-juara |archive-date=9 April 2025 |language=id |date=31 October 2021}}</ref> |- style="background:#D8CEF6" | align="center" | 2022 | align="left" | Belgian International | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|TPE}} [[Chiu Hsiang-chieh]]<br />{{flagicon|TPE}} [[Lin Xiao-min]] | align="left" | 21–13, 21–17 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="belgium22">{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Sara Gonzalez |title=YONEX Belgian International 2022: Asia wins all the titles |url=https://www.badmintoneurope.com/cms/?clubid=4685&m=8607653&cmsid=239&pageid=5381 |publisher=Badminton Europe |date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127003957/https://www.badmintoneurope.com/cms/?clubid=4685&m=8607653&cmsid=239&pageid=5381 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> |} : {{Color box|#D8CEF6|border=darkgray}} [[BWF International Challenge]] tournament : {{Color box|#D5D5D5|border=darkgray}} [[BWF International Series]] tournament
=== BWF Junior International (2 titles, 3 runners-up) === ''Girls' doubles'' {| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year ! Tournament ! Partner ! Opponent ! Score ! Result ! Ref |- style="background:#AE9C45" | align="center" | 2017 | align="left" | [[:de: German Juniors|German Junior]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Rin Iwanaga]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Kim Min-ji (badminton)|Kim Min-ji]]<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Seong Ah-yeong]] | align="left" | 16–21, 14–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="germanjr17">{{cite web |last1=Myojin |first1=Kenichi |title=German Junior Championships 2017 {{!}} Reports |url=http://www.badminton.or.jp/2016/ger_jr/index.htm |website=Nippon Badminton Association |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613224153/http://www.badminton.or.jp/2016/ger_jr/index.htm |archive-date=13 June 2017 |language=ja |date=12 March 2017}}</ref> |}
''Mixed doubles'' {| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year ! Tournament ! Partner ! Opponent ! Score ! Result ! Ref |- style="background:#AE9C45" | align="center" | 2017 | align="left" | India Junior International | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takuma Obayashi]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|INA}} [[Rinov Rivaldy]]<br />{{flagicon|INA}} [[Angelica Wiratama]] | align="left" | 18–21, 21–16, 21–17 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="indiajr17" /> |- style="background:#AE9C45" | align="center" | 2018 | align="left" | [[:de:Dutch Juniors|Dutch Junior]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiroki Midorikawa]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guo Xinwa]]<br />{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Liu Xuanxuan]] | align="left" | 21–16, 18–21, 19–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="dutchjr18">{{cite web |last1=Tomokane |first1=Yukio |title=Dutch Junior Championships 2018 {{!}} Reports |url=http://badminton.or.jp/2017/hol_jr/index.htm |website=Nippon Badminton Association |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830115014/http://badminton.or.jp/2017/hol_jr/index.htm |archive-date=30 August 2018 |language=ja |date=5 March 2018}}</ref> |- style="background:#AE9C45" | align="center" | 2018 | align="left" | [[:de: German Juniors|German Junior]] | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Wang Chan]]<br />{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Jeong Na-eun]] | align="left" | 19–21, 21–18, 21–17 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{gold1}} '''Winner''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="germanjr18" /> |- style="background:#C6D4E1" | align="center" | 2018 | align="left" | Banthongyord Junior International | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Midorikawa | align="left" | {{flagicon|THA}} [[Kunlavut Vitidsarn]]<br />{{flagicon|THA}} [[Lalinrat Chaiwan]] | align="left" | 21–23, 18–21 | style="text-align:left; background:white" | {{silver2}} '''Runner-up''' | style="text-align:center; background:white" | <ref name="thailandjr18">{{cite web |last1=Tomokane |first1=Yukio |title=ROZA BTY Junior International Challenge 2018 {{!}} Results |url=https://www.badminton.or.jp/games/2018/rosa/index.html#day6 |website=Nippon Badminton Association |access-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122235900/https://www.badminton.or.jp/games/2018/rosa/index.html#day6 |archive-date=22 January 2025 |language=ja |date=30 April 2018}}</ref> |}
: {{Color box|#AE9C45|border=darkgray}} BWF Junior International Grand Prix tournament : {{Color box|#C6D4E1|border=darkgray}} BWF Junior International Challenge tournament
== Record against selected opponents == Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists. Accurate as of [[2026 Swiss Open (badminton)|18 March 2026]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Natsu SAITO – Head To Head |url=https://bwfbadminton.com/players/head-to-head/?t1p1=55417 |website=Badminton World Federations |access-date=24 December 2025}}</ref>
=== Akira Koga === {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:small" ! Players ! {{abbr|M|Matches}} ! {{abbr|W|Win}} ! {{abbr|L|Lost}} ! {{abbr|Diff.|Difference}} |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guo Xinwa]] & [[Chen Fanghui]] | 1 || 0 || 1 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –1 |} {{col-end}}
=== Hiroki Midorikawa === {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:small" ! Players ! {{abbr|M|Matches}} ! {{abbr|W|Win}} ! {{abbr|L|Lost}} ! {{abbr|Diff.|Difference}} |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Feng Yanzhe]] & [[Huang Dongping]] | 11 || 1 || 10 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –9 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Guo Xinwa]] & [[Chen Fanghui]] | 2 || 1 || 1 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiang Zhenbang]] & [[Wei Yaxin]] | 6 || 1 || 5 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –4 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Zheng Siwei]] & [[Huang Yaqiong]] | 6 || 1 || 5 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –4 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Marcus Ellis]] & [[Lauren Smith (badminton)|Lauren Smith]] | 1 || 0 || 1 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –1 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Thom Gicquel]] & [[Delphine Delrue]] | 4 || 2 || 2 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|GER}} [[Mark Lamsfuß]] & [[Isabel Lohau]] | 2 || 1 || 1 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0
|} {{col-break}}
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:small" ! Players ! {{abbr|M|Matches}} ! {{abbr|W|Win}} ! {{abbr|L|Lost}} ! {{abbr|Diff.|Difference}} |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|HKG}} [[Tang Chun Man]] & [[Tse Ying Suet]] | 2 || 1 || 1 || bgcolor="#fffff0" | 0 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|INA}} [[Praveen Jordan]] & [[Melati Daeva Oktavianti]] | 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Yuta Watanabe (badminton)|Yuta Watanabe]] & [[Arisa Higashino]] | 2 || 0 || 2 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –2 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kyohei Yamashita]] & [[Naru Shinoya]] | 4 || 3 || 1 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +2 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|MAS}} [[Chen Tang Jie]] & [[Toh Ee Wei]] | 6 || 2 || 4 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –2 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Kim Won-ho]] & [[Jeong Na-eun]] | 4 || 1 || 3 || bgcolor="#ffddee" | –2 |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|THA}} [[Dechapol Puavaranukroh]] & [[Sapsiree Taerattanachai]] | 1 || 1 || 0 || bgcolor="#ccffcc" | +1 |} {{col-end}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{BWFB|55417}} * {{BWF|C01A51E2-8354-4025-8E48-1EC44BE59740}} * [https://www.badminton.or.jp/national/player/view/90 Natsu Saito] at [[Badminton Association of Japan]] {{in lang|ja}} * [https://www.jsports.co.jp/badminton/bwf/player/saitonatsu/ Natsu Saito] at [[J Sports]] {{in lang|ja}} * [https://www.smash-net.tv/player/natsu-saito/ Natsu Saito] at Smash and Net TV {{in lang|ja}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saito, Natsu}} [[Category:2000 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Badminton players from Saitama Prefecture]] [[Category:Japanese female badminton players]] [[Category:21st-century Japanese sportswomen]]