I Iearned my worst-ever sporting injury playing badminton. In my time, I have participated vigorously in soccer, rugby, squash, tennis and hockey. I’ve sprinted over hurdles and I’ve ridden horses over jumps. I have even white-water rafted on three of the most dangerous rivers in the world. But it was badminton that put me on crutches.
I was not the first victim. The sport has a history stretching back 2,000 years. Primitive shuttlecocks whizzed back and forth in the shadows of the Egyptian pyramids. The ancient Greeks played it. Historic variations on the theme have also been found in India and Japan.
The modern game of badminton — like so many other sports — formally began in Britain in the second half of the 19th century. The British have long had a flair for appropriating traditional pastimes from around the world and providing them with rulebooks and governing bodies.
In this case, the pivotal evolutionary moment came in the 1850s at Badminton, the country house of the Duke of Beaufort. A racket game that had become popular among British army officers in India was played on the Duke’s immaculate lawn for the entertainment of guests. It caught on, and eventually a uniform set of rules was set. By the end of the century, the Badminton Association had been established.
To this day, the basic parameters remain. The court is marked out to a length of 44 feet and a width of 17 feet (or 20 feet for a game of doubles). The top of the net is fixed at 5 feet. Although badminton can be played outdoors, it is essentially an indoor sport. Anyone who has ever tried hitting a shuttlecock into a stiff breeze will understand why.
The shuttlecock itself is one of the more bizarre objects in sport. Early versions consisted of a cork head inlaid with a cone-shaped tail of feathers. Its aerodynamics are remarkable. The head will always right itself in flight, and despite its cumbersome shape it is capable of moving at very high speeds (though the drag of the feathers slows it down quickly). The fastest smash in badminton was clocked at 209 mph; as opposed to a mere 153 mph for the fastest recorded serve in tennis.
The primary physical attribute required of competitive badminton players is agility. During a professional game the shuttlecock becomes a barely visible blur as the opponents batter it back and forth. To compete at the highest level, you must be exceptionally fit.
Fitness is also a necessity for casual badminton, as I discovered to my cost. I had been a very keen badminton player at school, but when I decided to return to the sport more than a decade later I failed to acknowledge that my muscles had lost their teenage elasticity and my reflexes had lost their sharpness.
The memories of my glory days were still fresh. My brain was not willing to acknowledge the limitations of my older body. Less than five minutes into the match, I swiveled for an impossible-to-reach shot and my hamstring went “twang.” For the three weeks I was on crutches, I had the added indignity of having to supply an answer to a frequently asked question.
“What happened?”
“I got injured playing badminton.”
People would laugh.
Badminton seems such an innocuous, tame sport. But I know better. It requires speed, strength, stamina and lightning-quick reactions. In recent years Asian and Danish players have dominated the sport, and I have nothing but respect for them. To watch a badminton rally in blinding flow is one of the most scintillating spectacles in sport.
Watch it and enjoy it, but participate at your peril.
Read This Next
Park Hyatt Washington
2008
Dec 10, 2012All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 28, 2024New Adriatic Yacht Cruise and Tour Itineraries Unveiled for 2025
Set sail through crystal-clear waters and explore ports, islands and more on three new yacht cruise and tour itineraries in the Adriatic Sea from Riviera River Cruises. New 2025 itineraries combine yacht cruises with onboard accommodations and land extensions with hotel stays in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Itineraries also include tours of charming coastal towns and stops in national parks and swimming hole locations.
Sponsored Content
The Argosaronic Islands Are Calling
The Saronic or Argo Saronic Islands of Greece call travelers to explore its seven small islands and islets brimming with history, natural sites and more. With most easily accessible by boat, the islands’ proximity to ports of Athens make the Saronic Islands an ideal destination for those preferring shorter boat rides. In fact, trips from Athens ports to the islands take only between 10 minutes and two hours, depending on the island you choose, making them perfect for day or weekend trips. From Piraeus port, you can access Hydra, Spetses, Aegina and Poros directly. Come explore these stunning islands with us and find the inspiration to plan your next trip to these islands. Hydra Hydra town curves around a slope overlooking the Argosaronic Gulf like an amphitheater and is considered one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Most unique to the island is its lack of vehicles. People on the island get around on mules and donkeys as well as water taxis, making for a peaceful and laid-back day. Hydra lies a two-hour ferry ride from Piraeus port in Athens.
March 2024
Mar 28, 2024Cruise Lines Elevate the Onboard Fine-Dining Experience
It’s been a long time since the food on cruise ships resembled the bland, uninspired fare that gave onboard dining a bad name. These days, cruise passengers can look forward to menus created by Michelin-starred chefs made with top-quality ingredients served in stunning spaces. Choices abound as well. In addition to elegant main dining rooms, cruise ships have created a huge array of specialty restaurants that focus not only on perfectly executed traditional European and North American dishes but flavors and experiences from around the globe as well. In fact, meals served aboard cruise vessels have gotten so good, they’re drawing passengers onto ships: According to a recent report by luxury travel planning network Virtuoso, advisors report after Europe (specifically Italy and France), the No. 2 dining destination for travelers is aboard an ocean or river cruise. “This shows how cruise lines have really stepped up their culinary game, with consulting chefs and new restaurants and making that a focal point,” said Misty Belles, vice president, Global Public Relations, Virtuoso.
Daily
Mar 28, 2024Athens’ National Museum of Contemporary Art Opens What if Women Ruled the World? Exhibition
National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens was founded in 1997 and is supervised and subsidized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. The museum began its operation in 2000, when it acquired the first artwork of its collection and the first temporary exhibition took place.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Daily
Mar 28, 2024AmaWaterways Debuts Specialty Summer Cruises in Europe
AmaWaterways recently unveiled its lineup of experiences and exclusive offers for its 2024 Summer European river cruise season, and the list includes 20 Celebration of Wine Cruises, with two hosted by Samantha Brown and Chef Joanne Weir; and three Loyalty Appreciation Cruises.
Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 27, 2024Japan Airlines Purchases 32 Airbus, 10 Boeing
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruise Ship Visits to Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean International cancels additional visits to Labadee, the cruise line’s private destination in Haiti, for the next few weeks. The cruise line suspended visits to the destination in early March and decided to continue the suspension on March 22 due to unrest in the country.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024China Airlines Expands North American Network with Non-Stop Flights to Seattle
China Airlines will begin offering non-stop flights to Seattle (SEA) from Taipei (TPE) starting July 14. The new route expands the carrier’s passenger services to the northwestern United States by offering five weekly flights via the Airbus A350-900.
ShareThis