Badminton is a sport that first came out in the 1800s and has steadily gained popularity. This sport started in India and was brought to other countries like Malaysia through the British India Company. This sport is something every Malaysian holds dear to their hearts. There are many Malaysians who grew up playing badminton with their friends and their families.
What makes badminton a very accessible sport is the fact that you can play badminton wherever there is space. Unlike many other sports out there, you do not need a court or a large area to play badminton. You will just need a minimum of 2 racquets and a shuttlecock to start playing this sport and unlike most sports, you can find relatively cheap equipment. Most Malaysians play this game in their homes, in their garden or parks. It is very flexible and easily managed without a proper court. If you would like to find out the benefits of playing badminton, you should visit Top Reasons Badminton Is Great for You to learn more.
The love for this sport does not only come from those who play this sport. Malaysians also come as one and watch badminton matches and competitions all coming together to support their national players. Usually, when there is a match, you can see groups gathered together in eateries to watch and show their support. In this article, let us look at some of the best badminton players that have graced the courts.
Famous Malaysian Badminton Players
Over the years there have been many badminton players that have graced the international courts. We have listed players who have not only contributed towards the badminton scene in Malaysia but also those who have achieved worldwide fame and legend status.
Sidek Brothers
The Sidek brothers are five brothers: Misbun, Rashid, Rahman, Jalani and Razif. They were what put the name of Malaysian people on the map when it came to badminton. They were also one of the main reasons badminton became such a popular sport in Malaysia. These five siblings were famous badminton players and started their journey in badminton in their homes led by their father at a very young age and within 15 years, these brothers became world-renowned and world-class players. They won medals not only in the badminton World Cups but also in the Olympics.
Misbun Sidek is the creator of the famous "S Serve" (Sidek Serve). This serve was so powerful that if done correctly, could ensure a player's win without much effort. It proved to be so lethal that the authorities were compelled to prohibit it following Misbun's effortless victories over his rivals. These brothers will remain a legend in badminton not only to Malaysians but to fans all around the world.
Lee Chong Wei
Lee Chong Wei, an iconic badminton player from Malaysia, hung up his racket in 2019. He held the title of World No. 1 for more than a year during his illustrious career. Coming from the state of Penang, Lee Chong Wei caught the eye of Misbun Sidek who was the national badminton coach and was handpicked to join the national team. Lee Chong Wei’s career in badminton spanned over 19 years and he won numerous awards and medals during his time.
Cheah Liek How
In recent years, you’ve heard about Cheah Liek How. Cheah Liek How is an amazing paralympic badminton player who comes from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was born with a physical impairment called Erb’s Palsy. If you are not familiar with this impairment, it is an arm weakness. Cheah Liek How defied all odds and is one of today’s most successful and inspiring badminton players. His most notable achievement is winning the gold medal in the Badminton Singles SU5 category in both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. His story remains a motivating and inspiring tale for each one of us.
Famous Indonesian Badminton Players
Rudy Hartono
Rudy Hartono is a famous Indonesian badminton player who is renowned for being one of the best players of his generation. He debuted in 1967 and over the span of his career, won many titles. He debuted in 1967 and has won many medals and titles throughout his career. Some of his achievements are 6 Thomas Cup titles, being the world champion in 1980 and winning one of badminton’s most prestigious events - All Englands Championship. He won his first All Englands Championship at the very young age of 18 making him the youngest player to win this title. He went on to win a total of 7 times which makes him a legend in badminton.
Taufik Hidlayat
Taufik Hidayat is another famous and highly skilled Indonesian badminton player. He is usually associated and even compared with players such as Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei as they played a lot against each other. One of Taufik Hidlayat’s most famous moves is his backhand. His backhand smashes are legendary and powerful. On top of being an Olympic Gold medalist, he is also an Asian Champion and won numerous championships.
Famous Chinese Badminton Players
Lin Dan
Lin Dan is a professional badminton player who hails from China. He is regarded as a legend for his skills, wins and contribution to the world of badminton. Lin Dan was given the nickname Super Dan just shows how much he impacted the world of badminton. Lin Dan is the only badminton player to complete the Super Grand Slam. In order to complete the Super Grand Slam, a player will have to win all the major badminton tournaments. There are a total of 9 tournaments which include the Olympic games, World Championships, and World Cup as well as other Majors. If this wasn’t impressive enough, Lin Dan completed this all by the age of 28.
Shi Yu Qi
Shi Yu Qi is another prominent badminton player who comes from China. Shi Yu Qi marked the return of China to the No. 1 Ranking in badminton for the Men’s Single after a long 8 years. In the year 2024, Shi Yu Qi managed to not only win the Indonesian Open so far but also win 35 matches in 8 international competitions. One of the reasons Shi Yu Qi remains a favourite badminton player for many people is because he has the unique skill and technique that makes his matches not only captivating but also entertaining.
Famous European Badminton Players
Peter Gade
Peter Gade is a Danish player who is considered one of badminton’s legendary players. Peter Gade started his journey in badminton at a young age and is now known as one of badminton’s most popular and successful players. He was ranked as No. 1 and was consistently ranked in the top 10 for many years. Over the course of his career, he won over 22 Grand Prix titles and was a five-time European Champion.
Viktor Axelsen
Viktor Axelsen is a Danish badminton player who entered the badminton scene in 2010. Over the course of his career, he has managed to win all of the Badminton World Federation Super 100 tournaments. This is an amazing feat therefore it comes as no surprise he was ranked as World’s No 1 for a total of 183 weeks. If this was not impressive enough, Viktor Axelsen is also an Olympic champion winning gold in the badminton men's singles at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympic games.
Many know how to play badminton but not many know the specifics of professional badminton and its scoring system. If you are looking to take up badminton, you should consider hiring a coach. Coaches are a good way to learn badminton efficiently and effectively. You might be looking for a badminton coach for your kids or even for yourself.
Some people might think that getting badminton lessons are a waste of money but did you know that Lee Chong Wei started his journey in badminton at the age of 11? This simply shows that starting early plays a big part but dedication and hard work play an ever bigger part in achieving success.
Even if you are not looking to join competitions, learning to play badminton can be a satisfying and fruitful journey. In order for you to get the most in your journey to learn badminton, you must have a coach who can guide you on the correct rules and techniques and this is where Superprof’s coaches come in. We have a list of badminton coaches who have the skill and more importantly experience in badminton and competitions. These are people that can guide you to be successful in your journey in badminton. One of the hardest things when it comes to finding a coach is finding a person who is a good fit for you. This is where Superprof stands apart from the rest.
Most of our coaches give their first lesson for free, therefore you will get to try out their lesson and style before committing to taking lessons from them. This is something that is geared towards finding the right fit. We are also sure that you will be able to find a tutor that can fit your criteria as well as your budget. Why don't you head over to Superprof to check our coach's profiles, for all you know, you might be on the path to be the next Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia.
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