Trained Sports Blog

4 Fun Facts About Badminton That You Didn't Know

by Christopher Toal on May 21, 2021

4 Fun Facts About Badminton That You Didn't Know

Anyone who thinks that playing with a shuttlecock is not as serious as hitting a tennis ball will no doubt be amazed, by the intensity of professionals playing Badminton. But unlike tennis, badminton is a safer alternative that can teach kids similar mechanics, which can develop as much focus and determination.

When we think of Badminton, we feature a light and airy shuttlecock played nonchalantly over a net. What we don’t know is that this sport holds some of the most fascinating trivia and sports records in history.

4 Amazing Facts, Feats and Trivia in Badminton History

Kids will love these Badminton facts – here are some of the most amazing feats that actually happened in the sport. We’ve compiled some of the best:

1. The Fastest Recorded Badminton Shot is 493 km/h

The fastest recorded shot in Badminton was done in a special experiment for the Guinness Book of World Records. Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong executed a record-breaking shot in 2013 that topped even tennis’ fastest record of 263.4km/h, made by player Sam Groth in 2012.

The fastest badminton shot in competition, however, was made by doubles player Mads Pieler Kolding, who clocked 426km/h in 2017.

2. The Longest Rally for Consecutive Hits in an Old Form of Badminton, was 2,117!

In one of the oldest incarnations of Badminton, which was previously known as the game of shuttlecock and battledore (racket), the longest recorded rally (going back and forth without hitting the ground), made in 1830, is still astounding even today.

The longest rally in modern badminton history, was 2 minutes, with 108 shots between Tien Minh Nguyen and Jan O Jorgensen, in the 2013 World Championships quarterfinal.

3. Before Rackets Were Introduced, People Used to Hit Shuttlecocks with Just their Hands or Feet

Wooden rackets were then introduced, now we have graphite, carbon or metal badminton rackets. A racket can weigh less than 100g or a quarter of a pound. Kids’ badminton rackets, however, are now lighter than regular rackets used by adults.

4. Before the Williams sisters were popular in Tennis, There Was the Devlin Family of Badminton

Judy Devlin was one of the most decorated Badminton champions in the 1960s, who also received doubles trophies with her sister Sue. Their father Frank Devlin had been a badminton champion in the 1920s, and taught Judy Badminton at the age of 7. You never know how children will turn out, if you just start them young!

Inspiring Kids to Break or Create Their Own Badminton Records

Learning how to play badminton can be a fun exercise or it can be the start of a dream sports career.

Kids can also enjoy breaking their own record, by practicing their “rally”. Have them play long stretches of paddleball with their racket, and set them up against other kids to see who can perform the longest. It can be a fun game to build their stamina.

Why not invite members of the family to try the sport together and have kids enjoy playing with their siblings.

Keep an eye on your 7-year-old and if they seem interested or have the aptitude for it - why not seriously consider training your children to see how far they can go?

You never know if your family will produce Badminton’s next generation of sports superstars. Who knows what kind of world record will break in the future?