People who love badminton play the game because it’s unusual, obviously. It’s one of those sports you would never expect to see on TV. On the other hand, what I’m guessing many players don’t know is that there are a number of facts about the sport that would absolutely shock you. Here are some of them!
More intense than you thought
When you’re playing badminton, you have to run a lot more than when you’re playing tennis. In fact, if you’re not running around the court, then you probably aren’t playing badminton correctly! Running is an essential part of the game of badminton—and it makes it a LOT more fun!
If you want to play badminton competitively, then make sure that you have at least one partner who is willing to run with you. Otherwise, your opponents will have an easy time beating you up on the court and taking home all of the glory for themselves!
The shortest and longest matches
Badminton is a sport that’s known for its fast pace and high-energy action. But did you know that in the 1930s, one match lasted just six minutes? The players were so competitive that they spent the entire time trying to hit each other’s shuttlecock out of the court instead of actually playing the game.
The longest rally ever recorded lasted 44 minutes and 43 seconds between Joo Se Hyuk of South Korea and Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia during their match at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
It was pretty elite back in the day
In 1912 there were only three countries competing—England, Denmark, and Sweden—and only men were allowed to compete until 1924 when women were added to the roster of competitors at the Summer Olympics held in Paris again but this time hosted by France instead of Great Britain who had won gold medals for all four years previous (1908–1912) by winning every single event possible for men or women during those games (including doubles competitions).
Weird materials
Did you know that a shuttlecock is actually made from the left wing of a goose? The feathers on the wings are plucked out and then used to make the shuttlecock.
What did you think about these fun facts? Were you surprised by any of them? Let us know!
