Top 10 Interesting Facts About Badminton
Updated: Feb 12, 2025, 12:15 IST
Badminton is the world's fastest racket sport, with millions of players across the globe. Whether you compete for fun or professionally, the sport rich in history is equaled by some fascinating facts. Here are ten fascinating things you may not have known about badminton!
1. Originated More Than 2,000 Years Ago
Badminton has its ancient roots in China, Greece, and India over 2,000 years ago when played as a sport known as "battledore and shuttlecock."
2. Named After a British Estate Mansion
The sport today is named after the Duke of Beaufort's Badminton House in England, where the sport was originally played in the 19th century.
3. World's Fastest Racket Sport
Badminton boasts the fastest smash in racket sports. The world record holder is 565 km/h (351 mph) by Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong.
4. Olympic Sport
Badminton was an Olympic sport from 1992 at the Barcelona Games. It remains one of the most competitive sports at the Summer Olympics today.
5. A Shuttlecock Can Travel at High Speeds
The feathered shuttlecock, originally made of goose feathers, can travel more than 300 km/h when smashed by professional players.
6. Longest Badminton Match Ever Played
The longest badminton match took 2 hours and 41 minutes, played by Peter Rasmussen and Sun Jun at the 1997 World Championships.
7. Most Popular in Asia
While played all over the world, badminton is especially common in Asian countries like China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia, where it's a national sport.
8. Played Indoors at the Professional Level
Unlike most racket sports, professional badminton is always played indoors to avoid the wind affecting the flight of the shuttlecock.
9. Demands Exceptional Fitness
A top-class badminton player can travel more than 6 kilometers in a match, so it is a sport requiring incredible agility, stamina, and reflexes.
10. The Thomas Cup & Uber Cup
The highest-ranked badminton team competitions are the Thomas Cup (men's) and the Uber Cup (ladies'), which take place every two years.
Badminton is more than a game in the backyard—it's an action-packed, skill-oriented sport with a rich heritage. Playing or watching, these facts convey to you why badminton is one of the world's most captivating sports!
1. Originated More Than 2,000 Years Ago
Badminton has its ancient roots in China, Greece, and India over 2,000 years ago when played as a sport known as "battledore and shuttlecock."
2. Named After a British Estate Mansion
The sport today is named after the Duke of Beaufort's Badminton House in England, where the sport was originally played in the 19th century.
3. World's Fastest Racket Sport
Badminton boasts the fastest smash in racket sports. The world record holder is 565 km/h (351 mph) by Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong.
4. Olympic Sport
Badminton was an Olympic sport from 1992 at the Barcelona Games. It remains one of the most competitive sports at the Summer Olympics today.
5. A Shuttlecock Can Travel at High Speeds
The feathered shuttlecock, originally made of goose feathers, can travel more than 300 km/h when smashed by professional players.
6. Longest Badminton Match Ever Played
The longest badminton match took 2 hours and 41 minutes, played by Peter Rasmussen and Sun Jun at the 1997 World Championships.
7. Most Popular in Asia
While played all over the world, badminton is especially common in Asian countries like China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia, where it's a national sport.
8. Played Indoors at the Professional Level
Unlike most racket sports, professional badminton is always played indoors to avoid the wind affecting the flight of the shuttlecock.
9. Demands Exceptional Fitness
A top-class badminton player can travel more than 6 kilometers in a match, so it is a sport requiring incredible agility, stamina, and reflexes.
10. The Thomas Cup & Uber Cup
The highest-ranked badminton team competitions are the Thomas Cup (men's) and the Uber Cup (ladies'), which take place every two years.
Badminton is more than a game in the backyard—it's an action-packed, skill-oriented sport with a rich heritage. Playing or watching, these facts convey to you why badminton is one of the world's most captivating sports!
