If you were asked what the most popular sport in the world is, you would probably answer, soccer, and you’d be right. However, many would be surprised to learn that badminton is the second most popular participation sport in the world! In fact, approximately 220 million people worldwide play it on a daily basis. It is especially popular in Asia, where many of the top players in the game’s history hail from. Fascinated? Intrigued? Then follow on for Badminton: Why It’s The Second Biggest Sport in the World!
1. The History of Badminton
The origins of badminton can be traced back to ancient China, Greece, and India, and it’s connected to the ancient children’s game of battledore and shuttlecock.
It was named after Badminton House, the residence of the Duke of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, where the sport was first practised in the 19th century. Gloucestershire, by chance, is now the headquarters of the International Badminton Federation. Badminton became a full-medal Olympic sport in 1992, including men’s and women’s singles (one-on-one) and pairs competitions (two against two).
By 1996, Mixed doubles was introduced at the Olympic Games. Other well-known international tournaments include the Thomas Cup (World Men’s Team Championships), the Uber Cup (Ladies’ Team), World Championships, Sudirman Cup (Mixed Team), World Juniors and the World, Grand-Prix Finals.
Chinese athlete Lin Dan is widely recognised as the best badminton player in the world today. Also, Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia), Peter høeg Gade (Denmark), and Kento Momoto (Japan) are considered to be the top players in the world.
The best-of-three games are implemented in the international competition currently. A game is played to a maximum of 21 points if the winner has a 2-point edge.
If a 2-point lead is never established, the man or team who scores 30 points first wins. Until 2006, when the BWF implemented the “rally scoring” system, which allows any side to score at any moment, points were exclusively granted to the serving side.
2. Badminton Health Benefits
A major reason why badminton is so popular with millions of people is that it brings with it great health benefits. It influences your weight loss, muscle strength, heart function, stress reduction, flexibility, metabolic rate, bone strength and mental agility.
One of the most common reasons is losing weight. Because the sport requires a lot of physical activity, you will burn a lot of calories. You use every muscle in your body, which aids in the reduction of unwanted body fat or excess pounds (as long as you keep moving that is)!
Also, badminton is a good sport to help you socialize with other people and improve mental health. When you play badminton, endorphins, or ‘happy hormones’, are released. So, take out your rackets and shuttlecock and enjoy a game with your family or friends when you are feeling down or anxious.
Learn more about the physical benefits of badminton by watching this YouTube video below!
3. Tips for Badminton Beginners
Now, are you ready for an exciting badminton game? Start your journey with these tips!
Warm-up
The first Badminton advice we have is to make sure you warm up properly before starting. You should warm up your muscles so that they can stretch effortlessly. This will help you prevent unnecessary injuries while also preparing you for some fast-paced badminton. Start with a short jog around the court or some skipping to warm up and get some dynamic stretching in.
Comfortable Badminton Grip
When picking a racquet, the grip is vital. A comfortable grip and flexible wrist can aid you in perfecting your forehand and backhand strokes whilst also preventing wrist injury!
Check out these basic badminton techniques for beginners in the video below!
Keep Thinking
Don’t be deceived by badminton’s appearance; it’s a brain exercise as well. The greatest method to improve your thinking and planning abilities is to make sure every shot has a purpose and attempt to maintain an eye on as much of the court as possible at all times.
Cool-Down after Playing
It’s critical to cool down carefully and stretch your muscles after a workout as a novice. A good cool-down will gradually lower your body temperature, preventing your muscles from stiffening and becoming chilly. Stretching your muscles while they’re still warm increases flexibility and prevents lactic acid accumulation, which can cause muscle stiffness and cramping.
What are your thoughts on the sport of badminton? What’s been your experience of playing it? Let us know in the comments below, and join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
