Volleyball, tennis, football, and badminton – these are all sports that I’ve been interested in since I was just a little tyke. But let me tell you, there’s just something about football that really tickles my fancy. Maybe it’s because it’s the most popular sport in Thailand, or maybe it’s because my dear old dad loves it too. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because of the undeniably charming David Beckham. I mean, come on, who can resist those luscious locks and chiseled abs? Certainly not me!

Back in my high school days, I was a diehard Manchester United fan. Every weekend, I’d be glued to the TV, cheering my heart out for my beloved team. At first, I cheered for them because of my dad, but let’s be real – it was really all about Beckham. The man was like a magnet, drawing me in with his boyish grin and fancy footwork. It’s a good thing my dad didn’t get jealous, or there might have been a bit of a family feud!
After that, I would follow my dad to watch sports all the time because he’s a big fan. He used to recommend that I watch basketball, golf, but honestly, that’s just not my cup of tea. Until one day, we stumbled upon a legendary tennis match in Thailand’s tennis history – the Wimbledon 2002 semi-final match between Paradorn Srichaphan and Andre Agassi. At that time, Agassi was ranked #3 in the tournament, but Paradorn managed to defeat him in three thrilling sets. It was such a fun match and it got me into following tennis until today. However, my favorite tennis player at that time wasn’t Paradorn Srichaphan but the handsome young Andy Roddick, who couldn’t escape being my heartthrob. Hahaha


Volleyball is another sport that I really enjoy and have been following until today. I remember back in high school, I had to wake up early to watch the Thai national women’s volleyball team play at 1-2 AM because most volleyball matches were played in Europe or America during that time. It was the era of the “7 Master” (referring to the Thai’s Volleyball generation that very successful) and some players from the previous generation like Nootsara Tomkom also played on the team. This was almost the only sport I followed that had only the women’s category, so I didn’t have many options. Until later on, I started to follow the men’s category more and had my favourite athletes like Jeff Jendryk and Tomasz Fornal. And that’s how I became a proud volleyball enthusiast, or as my friends like to call me, a “volleyball nerd” who knows more about the sport than most people know about their own hobbies.”
My badminton kickoff time
If you ask me when I started playing badminton, I have to say that I don’t remember because badminton is a sport that is played widely in the area where I grew up. When I was a kid, I didn’t care much about the rules and didn’t play on a court with clear boundary lines. Most of the time, we just played in front of our houses, hitting the shuttlecock back and forth. Wherever the shuttlecock landed, it meant the other side got a point.
Well, if we’re talking about serious badminton, it’s probably on a court with clear lines and boundaries, maybe around my high school years. But back when I moved to Australia, badminton became a regular family sport for me, played among my mom, younger brother, and sister. We’d schedule to play every Sunday for about an hour. I think it’s a great way to bond with family, and I always consider it our “feathered shuttlecock of love”.

Another thing is that I often use badminton as an activity with my friends. For example, we would arrange to play together and as I mentioned earlier, badminton is an easy sport to play and learn quickly. It makes it easy to teach friends who are Australian or foreigners residing in Australia. And if they are Asian and residing in Australia, they don’t have to say much because they mostly know the basics of playing already.
Well, it sounds like badminton is not only a great way to bond with family but also with friends from all over the world! Plus, it’s a fantastic sport to learn if you want to impress your Asian friends with your skills, or if you want to dominate your Australian buddies on the court! Just make sure you don’t get too competitive and end up with a shuttlecock to the face. Trust me, it’s not a good look. Hahaha
However. Have you ever wondered when and how badminton came to be? And why is it so popular in Asia? And why are Asians so good at it? What are the important factors that make Asians the leaders in this sport?
Well, as always, I’ve gathered some information for you to read and have some fun with.
The history of Badminton
Badminton may seem like a genteel sport that’s only played by grandmothers in the park, but this feathered shuttlecock game has a history that’s as old as time itself (or at least as old as ancient India). Yes, peeps, badminton is one of the world’s oldest sports, and it’s been played in some form or another for centuries. But how did this game of flying feathers and flimsy rackets make its way into the modern world? Buckle up, dear readers, because we’re about to take a trip down memory lane.
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (India, to be exact), a group of people were playing a game called “Poona.” It involved a shuttlecock made of feathers and some rudimentary rackets. The British, being the colonizers that they were, saw the game and thought, “Hmmm, we could use this to entertain ourselves when we’re not busy oppressing people!” And thus, the game of badminton was born.

At first, badminton was a pretty casual affair. People played it in their backyards, and the rules were pretty loosey-goosey. But as with all things in life, badminton evolved. The shuttlecock became more aerodynamic, the rackets became more advanced, and suddenly, badminton was a serious sport. The name “badminton” was even coined in the 1870s, after the Duke of Beaufort introduced the game at his estate in Badminton, Gloucestershire. Apparently, it was the perfect activity for when you wanted to feel sporty, but also wanted to wear a top hat.
But badminton didn’t stop there. Oh no, it kept on truckin’. In the 1930s, the International Badminton Federation (now known as the Badminton World Federation) was founded, which gave the sport some much-needed international recognition. And in 1992, badminton finally made it to the big leagues when it was included in the Olympic Games. No longer just a backyard pastime for bored aristocrats, badminton was now a legitimate sport that people took seriously.
So there you have it, folks. The history of badminton in a nutshell. From its humble beginnings in India to its status as an Olympic sport, badminton has come a long way. And who knows? Maybe someday it’ll be as popular as tennis or soccer. Or maybe it’ll just be the sport that your grandma plays on Sundays. Either way, we can all agree that badminton is a pretty cool game, right? Right? …Guys?
Up to this point, I still have a curious question that I think many people may wonder about. Why is badminton so popular in Asia, and why do Asian athletes tend to excel in this sport more than athletes from other countries? It’s like Asians have a natural talent for badminton. Maybe it’s because we’ve been training our hand-eye coordination for years by eating with chopsticks! No No No, I have some research for you guys.
Why badminton so famous in Asia
Badminton is a popular sport worldwide, but it is particularly popular in Asia, with a long history of success in international competitions. This can be attributed to several factors, including cultural significance, physical and physiological factors, supportive infrastructure, coaching and training, and success in international competitions.
In many Asian countries, badminton has a strong cultural significance. It is often played in schools and is supported by strong national programs, which has helped to develop a deep pool of talent in these countries. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Physical Education and Sport found that badminton training in China and South Korea starts as early as age five, with intensive training and coaching given to young players.

Moreover, Asian badminton players tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage compared to their European counterparts, giving them an advantage in terms of agility and speed on the court. In a study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, researchers compared the body composition, physical fitness, and badminton skills between university badminton players from China and France. The study found that Chinese badminton players had a significantly lower body fat percentage and BMI, as well as better agility and anaerobic power compared to French players.
Many Asian countries have invested heavily in developing world-class badminton facilities and training programs, creating a supportive infrastructure for the sport. This has made it easier for players to pursue a career in badminton and has contributed to the success of Asian players in the sport. For instance, a study published in Advances in Social Science, Education, and Humanities Research analyzed the development of badminton sports in Asia, finding that the growth of badminton in China can be attributed to government support and investment in the sport.
Finally, Asian countries, particularly China and Indonesia, have a long history of success in international badminton competitions. This has helped to popularize the sport in these countries and has also led to the development of strong badminton cultures. The success of Asian players in badminton has also helped to inspire young people to take up the sport, contributing to its popularity in the region.
In conclusion, the combination of cultural significance, physical and physiological factors, supportive infrastructure, coaching and training, and success in international competitions has helped to make badminton particularly popular in Asia. The sport has a rich history and a bright future in this part of the world, and it will undoubtedly continue to be a favorite pastime for generations to come.
Grab Your Racket and Feathered Shuttlecock for a Game of Badminton!
Listen up, peeps! If you’re looking for a sport that’s not only easy on your wallet but also your body, then badminton is the way to go. According to some fancy study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, playing this feathered shuttlecock game for just 30 minutes a day can keep the doctor away. Who needs apples when you can have badminton, right?
And get this, you don’t have to break the bank to get started. All you need is a racket, some shuttlecocks, and a net, which is way cheaper than a gym membership or a personal trainer. Plus, badminton is so easy to learn that even your granny can give it a go.
But don’t let its simplicity fool you; badminton is a full-body workout that’ll get your heart pumping and your sweat glands working. And the best part? You can do it indoors or outdoors, rain or shine. So, if you’re looking for a fun way to stay healthy, ditch the treadmill and pick up a badminton racket. Your body (and your wallet) will thank you for it!

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