SPORTS Badminton: A China Dominated Sport

Badminton is one of the most popular sports in China, with the country dominating the sport over the last decade. However, a number of children and elderly also play as it brings numerous health ben- efts to players of all ages.

By staff reporter DEGEN HILL

ADMINTON, the sport you weren’t quite sure how to spell, was first developed in the mid-19th century in British India, then called “poona,” and is one of the most played B China’s Badminton Dominance sports in the world, with an estimated 220 million people playing badminton regularly. The name is There is no question that China is the current derived from Badminton House in Gloucestershire, dominating badminton champion. The first Chi- where the sport was commonly played by the guests nese provincial badminton team was established of the Duke of Beaufort. Badminton has become one in Southeast China’s Fujian Province in 1956, and of China’s favorite sports with thousands of amateur the first Chinese badminton team formed in 1963, leagues throughout the country. The world’s most which was suspended for some years during the “cul- populous nation has also come to be the greatest tural revolution” (1966-1976) and resumed in 1973. force in both men’s and women’s badminton compe- The players trained hard and their skills improved tition recently. quickly. In 1978, China was among 21 other na- Badminton is a racquet sport played using rac- tions and regions to frst join the World Badminton quets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. A shuttlecock, Federation, now known as the Badminton World despite its funny name, is a high-drag projectile in a In 1992, bad- Federation (BWF). Since the BWF began formal com- cone shape, formed from 16 overlapping feathers em- minton was petitions in 1982, China has consistently won good bedded into a rounded cork base. Te cork is covered propelled on scores in various international competitions. The with thin leather or synthetic material. Te point of to the world Chinese badminton team reached its height in the the game is to hit the shuttlecock over the net be- stage and 1980s, winning all fve gold medals at the Fifth World fore it hits the ground, with each game played to 21 helped boost Badminton Championships in 1987 and the Bad- points. Te idea is simple enough, but there is huge its global minton World Cup in 1988. With the sport gaining amount of technique and skill involved. A few basic appeal, with accreditation as an Olympic event in 1992, badmin- moves include lift, block, drive, smash, slicing, lob, China soon ton was propelled on to the world stage and helped and serve. Competitions include men and women’s proving why boost its global appeal, with China soon proving single, as well as doubles, and mixed doubles. While it deserved to why it deserved to be the sport’s leader. China is one most of us will never be professional badminton be the sport’s of the most successful badminton teams in history, players, learning the basic moves can allow for many leader. having won the Tomas Cup (men’s team champion- fun and exciting games among friends. ship) nine times and the Uber Cup (women’s team

78 CHINA TODAY Lin Dan is one the age of 11 and became a national team member at of the best bad- 16. However, she got the opportunity to represent the minton players in China. nation to attend the Olympics at 29, through years of ferce competition with her excellent fellow team members. “I even officially asked for retirement to my coach in 2001 when I was 26,” she recalled, “It was just because of love for this game that I went through highly-intensive training, torturing physical injuries, and desperate longing for winning.” Finally, there is a huge talent pool of skilled bad- minton players in China. Badminton is a non-contact game that has been played for decades by children in schools and colleges throughout the country. As such, China has been able to translate this youthful love for the game into a dedicated group of men and women who compete internationally at the highest level, allowing China to dominate the sport in inter- national and regional events.

Health Benefts When thinking of badminton, many people wouldn’t think of it as an athletic sport. However, championship) 13 times. China has also won more badminton has numerous health benefits to those medals in badminton at the Olympics than any other who play. As an aerobic sport, players are continually country. running around the court, requiring them to be agile, One of China’s most recognizable badminton play- strong, and have good stamina. Using the racquet ers is Lin Dan. By the age of 28, Lin had completed also requires the player to have good motor coordi- the “Super Grand Slam,” having won all nine major nation. Te BWF claims, “Badminton ofers multiple titles in the badminton world, and he is the only health benefits and promotes longevity in older player in badminton history to have won two-time people.” While many people don’t play badminton Olympic champion and fve-time World Champions. competitively, taking part in sports that involve com- Alongside him is Zhang Ning, one of the best woman petition can help players increase their self-esteem, badminton players in the history of the sport. Her ac- self-confdence, motivation, and helps reduce stress complishments include being the only female player and depression. to win consecutive Olympic singles gold medals in In China, during spring and summer, many chil- 2004 and 2008. China’s love and dominance in the dren, parents, and grandparents can be seen playing sport can be attributed to three factors. First is sup- badminton within their apartment complex and in port from the government. Te Chinese government local parks. Often, the sport is played inside, on a provides a majority of the funding for the Chinese professional court, which looks similar to a tennis national team, including training and financial court, except for a higher net. Many gymnasiums upkeep of the players throughout the year. This al- The sport is a great way to have badminton courts with several nets, allowing lows them to focus solely on the sport without the a number of players to play games at the same time. stress of financial burdens. Second is China’s well- relax from the pressures of However, when the weather is nice, many people established badminton program, which allows the simply choose to hit the shuttlecock back and forth sport to fnd solid players from around the country the day and connect with outside, without the use of the net. The sport is a for its national team and ensures that badminton great way to relax from the pressures of the day and maintains its success and popularity throughout friends and family. connect with friends and family. It seems that no the country. For example, Zhang Ning, the best ever matter at what level badminton is played, the sport woman player, started her professional training at continues to be popular in China. C

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