People have played badminton—or what looked very much like the modern racket game—for centuries. Now, the sport’s worldwide participation is estimated at more than 300 million. Find out how the love of the game began and trace the evolution of badminton to the present day.
History and Development
The earliest predecessors of the sport date back to ancient times and were found in European and Asian civilizations. One of them is battledore and shuttlecock, a game played by two or more people using bats and a lightweight object with feathers attached.
The prototype of the modern sport—the game Poona, named after the eponymous city—originated in India in the 19th century. As an alternative to the game with a feathered shuttle, Indians also played ball badminton, which involved a light woolen ball.
In the mid-19th century, Poona gained popularity among the British militaries garrisoned in the country. As they returned home, they took the game with them. It was there, in England, that Poona was modified and unified and eventually turned into badminton, the sport we know today.
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The contemporary racket-and-shuttlecock game is among the top sports in India, not only for playing but also for watching and wagering. Exceptionally high odds, a vast array of markets on major international events, and even more await you if you opt to bet badminton on 1xBet.
The Birth of Modern Badminton in England
The modern game took its name from Badminton House, an estate of the Dukes of Beaufort in Gloucestershire that became the home of the sport in England. Initially, the British played the game by the Poona rules, but in 1887, the badminton club based in Bath came up with new regulations.
From that moment on, badminton in England evolved at a blistering pace. In 1893, the launch of the Badminton Association of England (BAE), together with the introduction of uniform rules, signified the beginning of the modern era in the sport. Here are more landmark events that quickly followed:
- In 1898, the first open badminton tournament in the world took place.
- In 1899, the All England Open Badminton Championships debuted.
- In 1900, the singles format was included in the Championships.
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The Olympic Badminton Competition
Despite its age-old history, badminton is quite a latecomer to the Olympics, as it was only introduced to the official program in 1992. Starting from the 1996 Games, the world’s best players have competed for Olympic medals in the following five disciplines:
- Men’s singles
- Women’s singles
- Men’s doubles
- Women’s doubles
- Mixed doubles
The Spread of Badminton Across the Globe
The global spread of the sport technically began in 1934 when England, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, and five more nations joined forces to form the International Badminton Federation (IBF). India, the birthplace of the game, enrolled in the Federation in 1936.
Throughout the 20th century, the sport has significantly expanded its geography, becoming mainstream all across the globe. The game has permeated backyards, schools, clubs, and other facilities and gained millions of recreational, amateur, and professional players.
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Among others, the sport is well-liked in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Denmark, which is also the strongest European badminton nation. It has a remarkable appeal in Asia, with China, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia reigning supreme on a global scale.
Key Milestones in Competitive Badminton
Because the IBF was the principal governing body of the sport, it held the first world badminton championships and other premiere events. The maiden world championships under the Federation’s auspices took place in Sweden in 1977 and were triumphant for the Danish team.
In 1978, the World Badminton Federation (WBF) was established for non-members of the IBF. The two merged in 1981 into the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Currently, the BWF unites 201 nations and runs tournaments for male and female players, juniors, and para-athletes.
Below are summarized the most prestigious international competitions you can follow today.
| 🏆Event | 🗓️Held since | ⏳Frequency | 🏸Participation |
| BWF World Championships | 1977 | Annual, except for the Olympic years | Men and women |
| Thomas Cup | 1949 | Biannual | Men |
| Uber Cup | 1957 | Biannual | Women |
| Sudirman Cup | 1989 | Biannual | Men and women |
| BWF World Junior Championships | 1992 | Annual | Under 19 men and women |
| BWF Para-Badminton World Championships | 1998 | Biannual | Male and female para-badminton players |
Badminton’s Journey to Olympic Fame
Badminton was first seen on the Olympic court at the Munich Summer Games in 1972, albeit as a demonstration. It was again presented as an exhibition sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona finally kicked off the official Olympic badminton history.
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The television broadcast of the sport’s inaugural appearance at the Olympics garnered over one billion views, attesting to the universal love of the racket-and-shuttle game. Since then, badminton has been among the top-ranked Olympic sports in terms of popularity and viewership.
Modern-Day Badminton Superstars
Present-day badminton has produced a fair number of stellar players possessing superior skills and abilities and captivating crowds with their style of play. Because the sport is a heavy favorite in Asia, most of these athletes hail from this region. Below are some of the superstars dominating international courts today.
An Se-young
Born in 2002, the world’s No. 1 An Se-young is a South Korean badminton prodigy with fantastic achievements under her belt. Apart from her multiple BWF World Tour titles, she won the 2022 Asian Games, the 2023 World Championships, and the 2024 Olympic Games in women’s singles.
PV Sindhu
A former No. 2, PV Sindhu is a badminton celebrity in her homeland, India, and the rest of the world. She has won five BWF World Tour titles, two Commonwealth Games, the 2019 World Championships, and silver and bronze Olympic medals at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games.
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Viktor Axelsen
Currently ranked third globally, Viktor Axelsen is the most successful European player in the Asia-dominated sport. The Dane lifted the Thomas Cup in 2016 and was crowned world champion in 2017 and 2022. In 2024, Axelsen took the second consecutive Olympic gold in his career.
Shi Yuqi
Today, China is the most powerful badminton force, and Shi Yuqi is its brightest representative with the top spot in the world in men’s singles. His stunning accomplishments include the crown of the All England Open, two Thomas Cups, two Asian Games victories, and three Sudirman Cups.
Conclusion
Badminton has come a long way from India to England and then to other parts of the world. What began as a fun game with a bat and a shuttle has transformed into a highly competitive and spectacular Olympic sport. Whether in a backyard, a school gym, or on a professional court, badminton is played and enjoyed by millions of people of all ages and skill levels.
Source: gettyimages.in
