Badminton Racket Victor MX80 Reviews

Karry September 30, 2024 4 0

In recent years, Victor has launched many excellent rackets: the Thruster series, Black Gold Thruster, 100X, among others, all of which have gained immense popularity worldwide. Indeed, as technology advances, rackets have become better and better. Yet, there are still legendary rackets that, despite the passage of time and rigorous testing by countless players, remain unparalleled, standing tall amidst a world of cutting-edge equipment.

Without a doubt, the MX80 is such an ancient artifact from Victor. Its ultra-stiff shaft and octagonal sword frame destined it for greatness. This racket, used by Korea’s men’s doubles player Jung Jae Sung during the 2012 London Olympics, carved a path through fierce competition. Though they lost to Denmark in the semifinals, the racket’s brilliance remained untarnished by the defeat. Hearing the news of Jung Jae Sung’s passing in 2018 evoked a mixture of emotions, yet the image of his heroic figure at the Olympics still lingers in my mind.

In addition to men’s doubles, Korea’s top men’s singles player, Son Wan Ho, also wielded this racket during the 2012 Olympics. Although his journey ended at the hands of Denmark’s Peter Gade, the legacy of the MX80 continues.

With nostalgia and admiration for its strength, I decided to get one.

Strung with 28 lbs of yellow BG65 strings, the unique paint job was immediately to my liking. The carbon weave base, in a dark black tone, exudes a sense of depth and high-tech precision that is rarely seen on today’s rackets. Laser-etched gold, silver, and red blocks adorn the frame, shining brilliantly without appearing gaudy. Inside the frame, a large golden “X” sparkles, emitting an enchanting glow. The overall design resembles a bright star in the galaxy, commanding attention with its radiant allure.

Now, let’s talk about how it feels to play with.
It’s the best racket I’ve ever used—no exceptions (sorry, NF800P, you can retire now).
This is an ancient artifact that demands an incredibly high level of skill to unlock its full potential. A blazing star needs the intensity of the sun to truly shine. The 2011 model only comes in 2U and 3U. Upon first use, it feels slightly head-heavy, but the 3U weight feels as light as a 5U. How stiff is the shaft? Slightly stiffer than the Z-Speed, and noticeably stiffer than the 100ZZ. This is exactly why I wanted it (laughs).

After a few swings on the court, I immediately realized this racket was no joke. The extreme stiffness of the shaft requires significant effort to generate power, and the 7.2mm shaft lacks much elasticity—it gives back exactly what you put in. However, thanks to the shaft’s balance between stiffness and flexibility, the feedback is excellent, making the racket feel incredibly responsive. This also means that the racket has virtually no upper limit. But the entry barrier is high; it demands a lot from the player in terms of technique and physical ability.

While it’s positioned as a balanced racket, the MX80 is far from an ordinary balanced racket. The 28 lbs BG65 strings have just the right elasticity, and the slightly head-heavy balance helps generate power. The racket feels solid, making clears and drop shots effortless, with sharp and precise placement. In this aspect, I saw the traits of a balanced racket. The unique frame design reduces swing weight and increases swing speed, resulting in crisp, clean shots. The ultra-stiff shaft also provides excellent drive capability; a powerful cross-court drive can often catch opponents off guard, showcasing Victor’s expertise in speed rackets. To my surprise, its attacking performance was also remarkable. Quick smashes sliced through the air like lightning, and heavy smashes landed with the force of a meteor. Here, I saw the potential of a powerhouse attacking racket, comparable to the Thruster series or the 100ZZ. These multiple advantages, combined with its addictive feel, make it a joy to play with—the more you use it, the more invigorated you feel, without ever tiring.

Despite being such an amazing racket, encompassing all the strengths of different types, it never got to showcase its full potential at the Olympics. A real pity.

Years have passed, yet the MX80 continues to exude its charm, battling against the new generation of rackets while upholding the honor of its predecessors. This racket excels in both singles and doubles, truly deserving the title of ancient artifact and king of versatility. I hold it in great reverence, even though I only managed to get it from a second-hand market.

In the end,
What is the cost of becoming a legend?
Perhaps, that’s the MX80.

Finally, I hope the Chinese national badminton team will live up to expectations, fight hard, sweat, and bring home the championship!