Since its discovery, the badminton game has undergone many phases and changes! When we talk about the history of badminton, in the early 18th century, badminton was played by the Britishers in India, and it was called Poona (As it was popular in Pune). Later, the Britishers took the game away with them to England and renamed it Badminton as they developed a liking for the game. From then on, badminton has been what we play now with some modified badminton rules. And just like this, there are many such facts about badminton that we are still unaware of. Read the blog till the end to know more.
Interesting Facts about Badminton
Badminton Is the Fastest Racket Sport
Badminton is recorded to be the fastest racket sport in the world, with the achievement of 426 kph, which was achieved by Mads Pieler Kolding in 2017 during the Badminton Premier League match, which he played for the Chennai Smashers. It was even mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Badminton Is the Name of the Village
According to Wikipedia, there is a village named Badminton in England. It is known as the Great Badminton and the Little Badminton, which was the principal seat of the Somerset family during the 17th century. Badminton House also gives its name to the sport of Badminton.
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Badminton Is the Second Most Popular Sport
After football, badminton is the second most popular sport in the world among players worldwide. According to the Badminton World Federation, it is estimated that around 339 million people play badminton once a week. This racket sport became so popular when it was first introduced in the year 1992 and was viewed by 1.1 billion people on television.
The Shortest Badminton Match
As per Guinness World Records, the shortest match lasted only for six minutes between Ra Kyung-min (South Korea) beating Julia Mann (England) 11-2, 11-1 during the 1996 Uber Cup in Hong Kong on 19 May 1996. This was the shortest match ever in history.
The Longest Badminton Match
After the shortest match, now let's discuss the longest badminton match in history. The longest badminton match was played by Mario Langmann and Thomas Paulweber in Reutle, Austria, on 26-27 November 2016. The game lasted for 25 hours, 24 minutes, and 44 seconds.
Badminton Was Developed in India
In mediaeval Europe, children used to play a sport named Battledore and Shuttlecock, which was later developed in India by the British expatriates and was known as Poona, which was named after the Garrison town of Poona and the first informal set of rules of badminton game was formed by the British colonists in the 19th century.
Shuttlecock Is Made of the Left Wing of the Goose
You will be surprised to know that the shuttlecock is made up of the left wing of the goose. The average weight of the shuttlecock is between 4.74 and 5.55 gms. Sixteen feathers are used in the manufacture of the shuttle; during a top-level match, ten shuttles are used with which each is being hit at least 400 times.
Longest Badminton Rally
The Longest rally in badminton history lasted up to 4.5 minutes in total. It took place by Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao VS Poon Lok Yan and Tse Ying Suet with 256 shots back and forth with the same level of energy and craze for the game. It's a record of the longest rally in history to date.
Badminton Was Initially Played with Feet
When we look at the history of badminton, it is said to have originated in China in the 5th century when people used to play a sport called Ti Zian Ji, which is said to be the precursor of badminton and was initially played with players' feet. It might sound weird, but the players used their feet to hit the shuttlecock, which was different from the usual shuttle, and what is more interesting is that people still play it even now in some parts of China.
- Also Read: Exercises for Badminton Players
Badminton Is More Intense than Tennis
A tennis match may last longer, but a badminton match requires a more intense routine. The number of rallies and shots, shots per rally, and distance covered are statistically higher compared to tennis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Interesting Facts about Badminton.
Who Is Called the Father of Badminton?
Prakash Padukone received the honour of being called the Father of Badminton for his contributions to badminton and also his groundbreaking achievements.
What Is the Scoring System of Badminton?
In badminton, three games are played, each with 21 points. The players who win the rally score points, and the winner is the pair or a player who reaches 21 points with two points leading. If both players reach 20-20, then the winner will achieve a points lead or until 30 points are gained. Some essential rules are serving diagonally, scoring on the serve, and alternating service courts after each point is won in the game.
Who Are Some of the Most Famous Badminton Players in India?
Several players in India have taken the name of India in Badminton to the global level. However, some of the most famous players in history are Prakash Padukone, PV Sindhu, Pullela Gopichand, Kidambi Srikanth, Saina Nehwal, etc. These players have achieved a significant impact of success in badminton, including All-England titles, World Championships, Olympic Medals, etc.
To conclude, the badminton game has a rich history, unique gameplay, and a global allure, making it a glamorous sport. However, with the increasing popularity, facts about badminton are slowly unlocking, which is indeed helpful in captivating players and fans alike. Before becoming a player, it is essential to learn the skill, speed, and technique required to keep the game's culture alive.
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