History of badminton

The history of badminton is centuries old. In the V century BC in China was a popular game “ti jian zi”. The aim of the game was to keep the “shuttlecock” as long as possible in the air. Played with feet, as rackets at that time did not yet exist. Similar games existed in Japan and ancient Greece. What did not beat off the first shuttlecocks. Were used both hands and feet. In Japan, for example, was a popular game “oybane. Rackets were made of feathers, and instead of a shuttlecock used cherry stones. It is thanks to Japan in the 14th century and appeared the first racket. In the 17th century, the game of shuttlecock became popular in England, France, Sweden and a number of other European countries, badminton became a game of the upper classes.

Modern badminton appeared in England. Duke Charles Somerset, coming from India, brought with him rackets and shuttlecock. In 1873 in the old manor Badminton House he built a badminton court, there were the first competitions. The game quickly became popular with the privileged classes of society. In 1887 was created Badminton Club, soon such clubs were opened throughout England. In 1893 the Badminton Association of England appeared, the first set of rules of the game was developed and approved.

Development and spread of badminton

In 1934 the Badminton World Federation was formed. Representatives of nine countries stood at the origins of its foundation: Scotland, France, Canada, New Zealand, England, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. Its president, Sir George Alan Thomas, who won the English championships more than twenty times, played a huge role in the development of badminton, both in Great Britain and abroad. In subsequent years, the number of countries only increased. Today the federation numbers 150 countries.
Since 1947 the largest team competition for men has been the Thomas Cup, and since 1955 the Uber Cup has been the women’s competition.

In 1992 badminton was included in the program of the Summer Olympics.