Badminton enthusiasts, get ready to be amazed! The All England Badminton Championship, the most prestigious competition in the sport, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. In honor of this milestone, let’s take a deep dive into some fascinating facts about the Super 1000 event.
A Glimpse into History
- The inaugural edition of the All England Badminton Championship took place in 1899. Interestingly, it initially only consisted of doubles events, with singles events being introduced a year later.
- Sir George Thomas holds the distinguished title of the most successful athlete in the history of the tournament. He achieved an outstanding 21 championships, including nine in men’s doubles, eight in mixed doubles, and four in men’s singles.
- Frank Devlin made history as the earliest non-English winner. In 1922, alongside England’s Guy Sautter, Devlin claimed the men’s doubles title. Impressively, he went on to win a total of 17 championships, placing him second on the all-time list behind Thomas.
- Rudy Hartono, an Indonesian men’s singles icon, holds the record for the most consecutive titles. From 1968 to 1974, Hartono reigned supreme with seven consecutive victories.
- American Judy Devlin stands as the athlete with the most singles crowns, achieving a remarkable ten titles.
The Open Era
Let’s fast forward to the Open Era, which began in 1980. Here are some noteworthy highlights:
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- Gao Ling, a doubles legend, boasts the highest number of victories with 11 wins.
- Li Yongbo and Tian Bingyi were the last men’s pair to emerge victorious three times, clinching the title in 1987, 1988, and 1991.
- Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan have the opportunity to equal that accomplishment, having already won in 2014 and 2019.
- Despite Indonesia’s strong badminton pedigree, they have not celebrated a men’s singles champion in 30 years. The previous winner was Hariyanto Arbi in 1994. This year, fifth seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting carries the hopes of the nation.
- China, known for its badminton prowess, has experienced a dry spell in the men’s doubles category. The last time they tasted victory was in 2013 with Liu Xiaolong and Qiu Zihan. However, they have two seeded pairs, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang (2), and Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi (8), who may break the streak this time.
- Malaysia, once a force to be reckoned with in men’s doubles, has experienced a drought since Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong’s victory in 2007. The fifth-seeded 2022 world champions, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, represent their best chance of ending that dry spell.
- In 2009, China accomplished a historic sweep, disrupting Denmark’s record that had stood since 1948. They, along with Japan, are the only countries with seeded players in all five events.
- Li Shi Feng has the opportunity to become the first back-to-back men’s singles champion since Lee Chong Wei in 2011. This is the longest-running category without a defending champion.
- A win for Li would bring China’s men’s singles title count to 22, tying Denmark for the second-highest number of victories.
- Tai Tzu Ying, the third seed in women’s singles, aims to become the first player since Malaysian icon Lee to achieve four victories. Tai is also the last player in her discipline to win consecutively, accomplishing this feat in 2017 and 2018. Top seed An Se Young hopes to replicate her success.
- If Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong, An’s countrywomen, successfully defend their title, they will be the first Korean women’s pair in 30 years to do so. Chung So Young and Gil Young Ah were the last to accomplish this feat in 1994.
- Yuta Watanabe, an exceptional player with two men’s doubles and three mixed doubles gold medals, has the opportunity to stand atop the podium for the sixth time. The iconic Lin Dan was the last shuttler to achieve this in 2016.
- Surprisingly, the top-seeded mixed doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have yet to clinch a title.
- India, despite its strong badminton tradition, has not experienced success in categories other than men’s singles. H.S Prannoy, the seventh seed in men’s singles, carries the hopes of the nation.
- A victory in either category would end India’s 23-year wait for success since Pullela Gopichand became the second Indian, after Prakash Padukonne, to lift the coveted trophy in 2001. Since Gopichand’s triumph, only players from Malaysia, China, Japan, and Denmark have conquered the field.
- Women’s doubles has seen champions from outside Korea, China, Denmark, and Japan, but not since 1981 when English pair Nora Perry and Jane Webster claimed the title. This year’s eight seeded pairs represent three countries – Korea, China, and Japan – on that list.
- Among the participants hoping for their first-ever All England title are Thailand (men’s singles and mixed doubles) and Hong Kong China (mixed doubles), both with seeded entries.
- Carolina Marin, a former winner, holds the longest wait for a second crown. Since her victory in 2015, she has yet to reach the top step of the podium again.
- The final home shuttlers to triumph at the All England Championship were mixed pair Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms in 2005.
Standout Stat
In the 18 tournaments following Robertson and Emms’ victory, only pairs from China, Japan, and Indonesia have claimed the top spot in the mixed doubles category.
Captivating moment from a previous tournament: Watanabe and Higashino celebrating their third consecutive victory.
FAQs
Q: When did the All England Badminton Championship start?
A: The All England Badminton Championship began in 1899.
Q: Who is the most successful athlete in the tournament’s history?
A: Sir George Thomas holds the record for the most championships, with an impressive 21 titles to his name.
Q: How many consecutive titles did Rudy Hartono win?
A: Rudy Hartono secured seven consecutive titles from 1968 to 1974.
Q: Which country has the most victories in the men’s singles category?
A: China leads the way with 22 men’s singles titles.
Q: Who holds the record for the most wins in women’s singles?
A: American player Judy Devlin achieved an incredible ten singles crowns.
Summary
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The All England Badminton Championship, celebrating its 125th anniversary, brings together the best players from around the world to compete in the Super 1000 event. From its humble beginnings in 1899 to its current status as the pinnacle of the sport, the tournament has witnessed remarkable performances and showcased badminton excellence. With a rich history and a lineup of talented athletes, this year’s championship promises thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. Join us as we witness badminton’s finest battle it out for glory in the coveted All England title. Don’t miss the action!
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