Overview of Olympic Events: Badminton

Karry September 7, 2024 3 0

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Badminton is a widely popular sport in daily life, offering not only a great workout but also a way to relieve stress and improve mood. But how much do people actually know about this sport? What feathers are used in badminton shuttles? How many feathers does each shuttlecock have? How fast can a shuttlecock travel? And what do the tension numbers on a badminton racket mean?

Shuttlecocks sold on the market today are typically made from duck or goose feathers. The shuttlecocks used in top-level tournaments are made from goose feathers, specifically those from the goose’s wings, as they are more durable and provide the correct flight speed. Chicken feathers are not strong enough and tend to break easily during play. Using chicken feathers would result in a court littered with broken pieces by the end of a match! Each shuttlecock consists of 16 feathers, as this number provides the optimal spacing for stable flight.

While badminton may not be a ball game in the traditional sense, its speed is unmatched by other sports. The fastest shuttlecocks can rival the speed of high-speed trains and even approach the speed of the world’s fastest magnetic levitation trains.

Historically, records show that many countries and regions around the world had early forms of badminton-like games over 2,000 years ago. China is one of the earliest nations to engage in such activities. According to the Collection of National Sports, the Miao ethnic group in China had a game called “Da Shou Jian” (hitting a hand shuttlecock), which is an early form of badminton in China. The game, known as “Magoo” in the Miao language, involved tying colorful chicken feathers into a bundle, using a gourd skin to cut a round piece with a hole in the center, and attaching it to the feather bundle. Players hit the hand shuttlecock with their hands, trying to prevent it from touching the ground, often while conversing or singing. Some ethnic groups even used small wooden paddles to hit the shuttlecock, and over time, this evolved into a traditional sport still enjoyed today by ethnic groups like the Miao, Zhuang, and Jino.

The tension of a badminton racket refers to the tightness of the strings and is measured in pounds (lb), indicating the pressure per square inch. The tension level directly affects the racket’s elasticity, hardness, stability, and durability. The numbers on the racket represent the tension of the strings: the tension of the cross strings is usually denoted by the letter “V” followed by a number (e.g., V30LBS means the cross strings are at 30 lbs). The tension of the main strings is shown by the letter “U” followed by a number (e.g., U28 means the main strings are at 28 lbs).

Badminton rackets are generally categorized into five tension levels:

Low tension (below 20 lbs): Highly elastic, easy for lifting and dropping shots, but difficult to control shot accuracy.
Mid-low tension (20-23 lbs): Good elasticity and control but lacks power in offensive shots.
Mid tension (23-25 lbs): Offers comfortable control and precise power response.
Mid-high tension (25-27 lbs): Stiffer string bed, harder to clear shots, but offers pinpoint control.
High tension (28 lbs and above): Excellent control, requiring strong power, especially in wrist strength and explosive power.

Currently, the string tensions used by national team players vary. For instance, men’s singles player Shi Yuqi, men’s doubles player Liang Weikeng, and mixed doubles male player Zheng Siwei all use 29 lbs on the main strings and 31 lbs on the cross strings. Women’s doubles player Jia Yifan, who excels in attacking, also uses the same tension. Mixed doubles players Huang Yaqiong and Huang Dongping use 27 lbs on the main strings and 29 lbs on the cross strings. Women’s singles player Chen Yufei, known for her control, uses a mid-tension racket with 24 lbs on the main strings and 25.5 lbs on the cross strings. “Lower tension offers better control and further shots,” says Chen Yufei. It’s important to note that these players’ tensions are not fixed and may be adjusted based on their skill level and physical condition.