In the early days, the game of badminton was called Battledore and the Greeks and Asians were the first to play it. During the 1850s, the Duke of Beaufort revolutionized the game at his Gloucestershire home and called it badminton. Their home was later identified by locals as Badminton House.
In 1992, the popularity of badminton grew worldwide after its official debut at the Barcelona Olympics. Currently, the number of badminton players and professionals is growing and therefore more world badminton tournaments are being organized. Badminton is a really interesting and fast-paced sport that can be enjoyed by beginners and professionals alike. It’s also a great and fun way to stay fit and healthy.
Although the game of badminton started in an English home, the sport is now known worldwide and is a very popular sport in Asian countries such as Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, and China. These Asian countries are now producing world class players and China is producing the best badminton players. The Chinese have won many major and world tournaments in recent years and can keep the top spot.
Battledore and steering wheel
The first Battledore game was very basic. Two people would hit a shuttlecock back and forth with a single bat until one person misses and the shuttle falls to the ground. Those bats had handles and heads that are similar to modern rackets. The difference is that the head was completely solid and made of wood. Woven ropes were not yet used during that time.
Wooden racket
Initially, badminton rackets consisted of a woven head and a concrete frame or body in the same way that tennis rackets were made at that time. The string used for the head of the battledore racket was created from an animal product and the frame was made of wood. The hilt was long and bare, easily causing a few cuts to the hand.
Metal racket
Over time, wooden rackets were exchanged for metal rackets. The following rackets were made of steel, as it was a great metal. Soon aluminum rackets became a more preferred option because it was a lighter racket. This revolutionized the game and allowed players to hit and move on the court more easily. It also decreased the degree of fatigue and stress exerted by heavier badminton rackets. The handles were equipped with a grip material to improve control and user comfort.
Compound racket
The badminton rackets used today are made of composite or synthetic materials, with carbon fiber and graphite being the most widely used materials. Modern badminton rackets are much lighter and have better grip and power than earlier rackets. They are equipped with light but strong nylon ropes and other materials with specially covered handles with grips for better control.
In addition to the frames, the best badminton rackets on the market today are created with premium materials such as those used to make the strings and grips. There are different badminton rackets that can be adapted to a player’s style and level of play.
