Badminton is a racquet sport played by two or four players on a rectangular court in which they hit a shuttlecock, a small feathered projectile, back and forth over a high net.
The goal of the game is to hit the shuttlecock so that it lands on the opponent’s side of the court, and the opponent is not able to hit it back before it hits the ground.
That’s the definition of this popular sport in a nutshell. But where is badminton most popular?
Badminton has its roots in ancient civilizations in Asia, where it was played as a leisure activity. The modern version of the game, however, was developed in the mid-19th century in British India
British army officers stationed there played the sport frequently. The first rules of the game were written in 1873, and the first badminton club was formed in 1878 in the town of Guillemont, England.
The game quickly became popular in other parts of the world, and in this article, you’ll discover where badminton is most popular.
Indonesia is one of many Asian countries on this list and that’s because the country has an extensive history in badminton. The Badminton Association of Indonesia was founded in 1936, and because of this, many famous Indonesian players have emerged.
An important Indonesian player was Rudy Hartono who is widely considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time. Hartono won eight All England Open titles and two Olympic gold medals, and he was ranked world number one for an unprecedented six consecutive years from 1968 to 1973.
9. Singapore
Badminton is a popular sport in this small city-state and the country has a long and successful history in the game. The Singapore Badminton Association was founded in 1929, and over the years, the country has produced many top-ranked players and successful teams.
One of the important people in the history of Singaporean badminton is Punch Gunalan, who was one of the country’s most successful players. Gunalan was a three-time Olympian and won numerous titles at international tournaments, including the men’s doubles gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
8. Denmark
Badminton is a popular sport in Denmark, and the country has a rich history of success in the game at both the national and international levels. The Danish Badminton Association, which was founded in 1927, is one of the oldest badminton organizations in the world, which is quite surprising.
One of the key figures in the early history of Danish badminton was Paul Kurzen, who was a driving force behind the development of the sport in the country. Kurzen was the first president of the Danish Badminton Association and also served as the president of the International Badminton Federation from 1934 to 1936.
7. Malaysia
The sport was introduced to Malaysia during the British colonial period, and quickly gained popularity among both the local population and the British expatriate community. After all, it’s a pretty easy game to start playing.
Some of the most well-known include Lee Chong Wei, Misbun Ramdan Misbun, and Rashid Sidek. Lee Chong Wei is widely regarded as one of the greatest badminton players of all time, having won numerous international titles He also set numerous world records, including a 349-week as the top-ranked player in the world.
Malaysian badminton player Lee Chong Wei / Antony Stanley / Wiki Commons
6. Sweden
Badminton has a relatively short history in Sweden compared to other countries. The sport was introduced to the country in the early 20th century, but it did not gain widespread popularity until the 1950s and 1960s.
During this time, Swedish players began to make a name for themselves on the international stage, with notable achievements including a gold medal at the European Championships in 1963 and multiple medals at the World Championships in the 1970s. This surely increased the popularity of the sport in this Scandinavian country.
5. Thailand
The sport has a long history in Thailand, with the first recorded games of the sport being played in the country in the early 20th century. The sport gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, with the first national badminton association being established in 1950.
There are many famous badminton players in Thailand, but some of the most well-known include Ratchanok Intanon, Boonsak Ponsana, and Sudket Prapakamol. Ratchanok Intanon is a former world champion and Olympic medalist, known for her skill and athleticism on the court. This is a feature often found among Thai players which makes it a popular game to watch in the country as well.
4. England
The first games that resemble the modern-day sport of badminton were played in England in the early 19th century, well before the sport became popular in many other parts of the world. Badminton gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the first national badminton association being established in 1893.
Badminton is called badminton because it originated in the village of Badminton in the English county of Gloucestershire. The sport was first played by the Duke of Beaufort and his guests at his country estate in Badminton in the 1870s, and it is from this location that the sport derives its name. It is also said that the name “badminton” was chosen to distinguish the new game from the similar sport of “battledore and shuttlecock,” which was played with a paddle and a feathered shuttlecock.
Badminton House in England / Ray Bird / Wiki Commons
3. Japan
Japan is another country where it took a while before the sport gained ground. It was introduced to the country in the 20th century and wasn’t a major force until the 1950s and 1960s. The sport only became more popular when many successful Japanese players emerged.
Some of the most successful Japanese badminton players include Kazuhiro Chan, Eriko Hirose, and Yuki Fukushima. Kazuhiro Chan is a former world champion and Olympic medalist. The badminton organization in Japan is called the Nihon Badminton Kyokai (NBK), which translates to the Japan Badminton Association in English.
2. South Korea
Badminton has been played in South Korea for quite a while and the first national badminton association was established in 1957. The badminton organization in South Korea is called the Korea Badminton Association (KBA) and it’s responsible for organizing tournaments in the country.
There are many famous badminton players in South Korea, but some of the most well-known include Lee Yong-Dae, Lee Hyun-il, and Yoo Yeon-Seong. Lee Yong-Dae is a former world champion and Olympic medalist who was pivotal in making the sport popular in the country.
1. China
Badminton has been played in China since the early 20th century and the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) was founded in 1958. The CBA is affiliated with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the international governing body for the sport, and is a member of the Chinese Olympic Committee.
Very few countries in the world have produced as many successful badminton players as China. Some of the most notable include Lin Dan, Chen Long, and Zhang Ning. Lin Dan is a two-time Olympic champion, five-time World champion, as well as a six-time All-England champion.
Chinese Badminton Player Lin Dan / Antony Stanley / Wiki Commons
