Concept in Definition ABC

It has a certain resemblance to those that are practiced with a racket, such as tennis or paddle tennis. However, it is the only sport racket in which a shuttlecock is used instead of a ball.

Like other sports activities, it can be done as entertainment or within the framework of an official competition. There is the single and double modality, both in category male and female, as well as the mixed double. It is also played in a wheelchair and in a version adapted to kids.

Game mechanics

It is carried out on a rectangular court divided by a net. The game consists of hitting the shuttlecock with the racket and overcoming the net. The steering wheel cannot touch the I usually and a point is scored when a player manages to make the shuttle fall to the ground in the opponent's court.

With 21 accumulated points the set is reached. Three sets are played and whoever gets two is the winner of the match.

Historical origins

In India in the nineteenth century a game known as Poona was played and this

discipline it is considered the historical precedent of badminton. At that time the British were occupying India and observing how Poona was played they made some changes improvised: with some corks from champagne bottles and some pens they created the first steering wheel.

Using initially a tennis racket the British popularized the practice and within a few years the first federation.

This sport began its Olympic journey in Munich in 1972 as an exhibition discipline and since 1992 in Barcelona it was incorporated as an official Olympic proposal.

Curiosities

The steering wheel is very light, specifically 5 grams. It can be made of plastic or with goose or duck wing feathers. Good professionals use the feather wing version because it is much more accurate. The velocity of a steering wheel can approach 300 km / h.

Comparative studies have been conducted between tennis and badminton. When calculating the number of racket strokes between one and the other, it has been concluded that in an average match four times more strokes are made in badminton than in tennis.

The world championship male It is known as the "Thomas Cup", the female championship as the "Uber Cup" and the mixed championship is called the "Sudirman Cup".

The players with the most international prestige come from Asia, especially India, China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The body that regulates this sport is based in the city of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

Photo: Fotolia - Archivist

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