What Is Badminton?
Badminton is a competitive sport in which players use racquets to take turns passing a shuttlecock (also called a "birdie") across a net. A shuttlecock is a special type of ball designed to have high drag and aerodynamic stability when hit into the air. Badminton games are generally played on a court similar to a tennis court and players earn points by hitting the ball onto the ground of their opponent’s side of the court.
What Are The Badminton World Federation Championships?
The Badminton World Federation Championships is a badminton competition that is managed by the Badminton World Federation. This tournament was previously known as the IBF World Championships, when it began in 1977. After the first championship, it was held twice by 1983 (once every 3 years). At the same time, the Badminton World Federation was also holding a badminton tournament with the same objectives. Because of this conflict and repetitive nature, the IBF later merged with the Badminton World Federation. In 1985, the championship games were held every other year until 2005. In 2006, the Badminton World Federation Championships began to take place every year, with the exception of the years with Summer Olympics games. Winners of the Badminton World Federation Championships are awarded the title, “World Champion” and take home a gold medal. Other awards offered are the silver and bronze medals. This article takes a look at which countries around the world have the best performance in these championships.
What Are The Top Performing Countries In The World Badminton Championships?
Between 1977 and 2001, the three possible medals were awarded to players from only 5 countries: China, Denmark, Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In 2003, however, 2 additional countries joined the ranks of medal winners. By 2005, medals were awarded to people from 10 countries.
1. China
China is by far the top performing country in the world in the Badminton Championships, a fact that has held true since 1977. Since then, players from this country have won 61 gold medals, 42 silver medals, and 64 bronze medals. In 1987, 2010, and 2011, all of the awards went to players from China. This is referred to as a shutout, and China is the only country to achieve such a feat.
2. Indonesia
The second top performing country in the World Badminton Championships is Indonesia. Since 1977, players from this country have brought home the following medals: 21 gold, 17 silver, and 33 bronze. Two of the most successful players in the world come from Indonesia as well; this distinction is given to players who have won 3 or more gold medals. These players are: Hendra Setiawan and Lilyana Natsir, with 3 gold medals each.
3. Denmark
Denmark comes in 3rd place with 10 gold, 13 silver, and 37 bronze medals. Thomas Lund was the first gold medal winner for the country in 1993. He went on to win again in 1995. Marlene Thomsen was the first female gold medal winner from Denmark, earning the award in 1995 in the mixed doubles category.
4. South Korea
South Korea is the fourth best performing country in the World Badminton Championships, although it is very similar in accomplishments to Denmark. This country also has 10 gold medals and 13 silver medals. It differs in bronze, with 29 medals. One of the most successful players in the world, Park Joo-bong, is from here. He has won a total of 5 gold medals in his lifetime, 1 of only 3 people to achieve such a feat.
