Where are the giant shuttlecocks in Kansas City?

On the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, on both sides of the building. Each is about 16 feet across, and the set was given by the Sosland family.

What is Hanebado! about?

It is a manga and anime about a girl who hates badminton and a coach who tries to bring her back to the sport. The manga ran in Kodansha's Good! Afternoon, and the anime aired from July to October 2018.

Is Love All Play based on a book?

Yes, on Asami Koseki's novels, published from 2011 to 2014 in four volumes. The anime ran for 24 episodes from April to September 2022.

What do other languages call badminton?

Several name it after the feathers, such as German with 'Feder' and Dutch with 'pluim'. French uses 'volant', the flying one, and Spanish also says 'gallito', little rooster, in some countries.

Where is the Denmark Open played?

Odense, the city of Hans Christian Andersen, became its regular home. It is one of the oldest international tournaments and was not held from 1956 to 1965.

Why did Viktor Axelsen move to Dubai?

He settled there in 2021, leaving the Danish team's Copenhagen centre. Most top events are in Asia, and Brian Yang and Loh Kean Yew also trained there.

How did Pullela Gopichand fund his academy?

He mortgaged his house, and a distant relative also helped. The academy opened in Hyderabad in 2008 after a project of about four years.

What happened to Kento Momota after his car crash?

He fractured his eye socket in a crash on the way to the airport, hours after winning the Malaysia Masters, and later had double vision. He later said he had reached his physical and mental limit.

Badminton · Interesting Facts

Chapter 7: Badminton Around the World

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown

Badminton has spread into art, film, comics and many languages. On the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City four giant shuttlecocks by Oldenburg, famous for huge versions of everyday objects, lie on both sides of the building, each about 16 feet across and painted white with orange-red tips. On screen there are badminton films from Indonesia to India and Korea, the manga and anime Hanebado!, collected in 16 volumes and aired from July to October 2018, and Love All Play, a 24-episode anime of 2022 based on Asami Koseki's novels.

Many languages name the game after its feathers: German builds its word on 'Feder', Dutch on 'pluim', and Estonian 'sulgpall' works the same way, while French 'volant' means the flying one. The Denmark Open is one of the oldest international tournaments, and Odense, the city of Hans Christian Andersen, became its regular home. In Africa a federation founded in Dar es Salaam in 1977, now Badminton Africa, began with seven members. In India, Pullela Gopichand, All England champion in 2001, mortgaged his house to open his academy in Hyderabad in 2008.

The facts below cover the Kansas City shuttlecocks, badminton on screen, Hanebado! and Love All Play, words around the world, the Denmark Open, Viktor Axelsen's move to Dubai, badminton in Africa, the Gopichand Academy and Kento Momota's career.

7.71The Kansas City Shuttlecocks

Four giant shuttlecocks on a museum lawn in Missouri.

Test 1The Kansas City shuttlecocksTake a test

They stand at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
Oldenburg was famous for huge versions of everyday objects.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
They lie on both sides of the museum building.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
The shuttles have 'landed' on either side of it.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
Each is about 16 feet across.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
That is roughly two and a half tonnes.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
They are painted white, with orange-red tips.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
About 9 cm, about 5.5 m and 13.4 m.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
The museum also holds the studies and the model.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · recall
The set was given by the Sosland family.
Source: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture · applied

7.72Badminton on Screen

Films and dramas about badminton, from Indonesia to India and Korea.

Test 1Badminton on screenTake a test

It is often called the first feature film about badminton.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
Both later became top international players.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
Deepika Padukone is the daughter of badminton great Prakash Padukone.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
It stars Josie Ho.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
It follows a middle-school team in a country village.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
It is set in the world of competitive badminton in Kerala.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
It is set in a company badminton team.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
2009, 2015, 2021, 2022.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
2021, 2022, 2024.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · recall
It was directed by Ari Sihasale.
Source: Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films · applied

7.73Hanebado!

A manga and anime about a girl who hates badminton.

Test 1Hanebado!Take a test

It ran in Kodansha's Good! Afternoon.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
It was collected in 16 volumes.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
The anime came out in 2018.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
It was directed by Shinpei Ezaki.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
It aired from July to October 2018.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
Her coach tries to bring her back to the sport.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
He is voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
2013, February 2018, July 2018, 2019.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
About 6, 13 and 16.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · recall
It is published by Kodansha.
Source: Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018) · applied

7.74Love All Play

A novel series that became a 24-episode anime in 2022.

Test 1Love All PlayTake a test

It ran from 2011 to 2014 in four volumes.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
It ran from April to September 2022.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
It was directed by Hiroshi Takeuchi.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
He joins a badminton club on a whim.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
Its coach scouts him.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
That player is Kento Yusa.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
They appeared in its Poplar Bunko Pureful line.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
2011, 2014, April 2022, September 2022.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
4, about 6 and 24.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · recall
It is based on Asami Koseki's novels.
Source: Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022) · applied

7.75Words Around the World

Feather balls, plumes and comets: what other languages call the game.

Test 1Words around the worldTake a test

Several languages name the game after the feathers.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
Estonian 'sulgpall' is built the same way.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
'Feder' means feather.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
It means feather ball.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
It means 'the flying one'.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
'Pluim' means plume.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
Spanish also uses 'gallito', little rooster, in some countries.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
6, 8, 9 and 10 letters.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
Netherlands, Germany, Finland, China.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · recall
Volant means the flying one.
Source: Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española · applied

7.76The Denmark Open

One of the oldest international tournaments, now at home in Odense.

Test 1The Denmark OpenTake a test

Some sources give 1935.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
It is one of the oldest international tournaments.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
Travel was still hard in 1946.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
It was not held from 1956 to 1965.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
Odense later became its regular home.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
It is the city of Hans Christian Andersen.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
It was founded as Danmarks Badminton Forbund.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
1936, 1946, 1956, 1986.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
1899, 1936, 1968.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · recall
The fairy-tale writer was born there in 1805.
Source: Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton' · applied

7.77Viktor Axelsen in Dubai

Why an Olympic champion left Denmark for the desert.

Test 1Viktor Axelsen in DubaiTake a test

He left the Danish team's Copenhagen centre.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
He also has acute rhinitis.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
Most top events are in Asia.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
He gave a live interview to CCTV in it.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
Brian Yang and Loh Kean Yew also trained there.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
Loh Kean Yew won the world title in 2021, in Huelva.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
He had won Olympic gold in 2021 and 2024.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
Tokyo 2021, August 2021, Paris 2024, 2026.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
Players came from India, Canada, Singapore and England.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · recall
The Dane settled in Dubai in 2021.
Source: Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026) · applied

7.78Badminton in Africa

A federation founded in Dar es Salaam and the first African Championships in Ghana.

Test 1Badminton in AfricaTake a test

It is now called Badminton Africa.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
They were Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
Kenya won the men's team title there.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
Tanzania won the women's team title.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
The event was held in Kumasi.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
Dorcas Adesokan had played for Nigeria at Tokyo 2020.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
It was later the Badminton Confederation of Africa.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
Founded in 1977, renamed twice.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
1977, 1979, 2021, 2024.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · recall
Tanzania won the women's title.
Source: Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024) · applied

7.79The Gopichand Academy

A former champion who mortgaged his house to build India's badminton factory.

Test 1The Gopichand AcademyTake a test

It opened in 2008.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
The project had been delayed.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
The project had begun about four years before.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
A distant relative also helped.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
Padukone was India's first All England champion.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
Open Magazine called it 'The Gopichand Factory'.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
Gopichand coached both.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
1990s, 2001, 2008.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
It opened in 2008.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · recall
He won the All England in 2001.
Source: Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016) · applied

7.80Kento Momota's Ups and Downs

A ban, a deadly crash, a record year and a farewell.

Test 1Kento Momota's ups and downsTake a test

He came back to become world number one.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
It happened hours after he won the Malaysia Masters.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
Momota was badly hurt.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
He later had double vision.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
He was on his way to the airport.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
He said he had reached his physical and mental limit.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
After it he played only in Japan.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
2016, 2019, 2020, 2024.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
The surgery came weeks later.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · recall
He had fractured his eye socket in a crash.
Source: Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile · applied

Questions people ask

Where are the giant shuttlecocks in Kansas City?: On the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, on both sides of the building. Each is about 16 feet across, and the set was given by the Sosland family.
What is Hanebado! about?: It is a manga and anime about a girl who hates badminton and a coach who tries to bring her back to the sport. The manga ran in Kodansha's Good! Afternoon, and the anime aired from July to October 2018.
Is Love All Play based on a book?: Yes, on Asami Koseki's novels, published from 2011 to 2014 in four volumes. The anime ran for 24 episodes from April to September 2022.
What do other languages call badminton?: Several name it after the feathers, such as German with 'Feder' and Dutch with 'pluim'. French uses 'volant', the flying one, and Spanish also says 'gallito', little rooster, in some countries.
Where is the Denmark Open played?: Odense, the city of Hans Christian Andersen, became its regular home. It is one of the oldest international tournaments and was not held from 1956 to 1965.
Why did Viktor Axelsen move to Dubai?: He settled there in 2021, leaving the Danish team's Copenhagen centre. Most top events are in Asia, and Brian Yang and Loh Kean Yew also trained there.
How did Pullela Gopichand fund his academy?: He mortgaged his house, and a distant relative also helped. The academy opened in Hyderabad in 2008 after a project of about four years.
What happened to Kento Momota after his car crash?: He fractured his eye socket in a crash on the way to the airport, hours after winning the Malaysia Masters, and later had double vision. He later said he had reached his physical and mental limit.

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the BWF and its continental confederations, national federations, the All England Club history, the Olympic Channel and Olympedia, Guinness World Records, museums, makers' own histories and named reputable media.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, collection records for 'Shuttlecocks' (1994) and the related studies (art.nelson-atkins.org); Google Arts & Culture10
Festival and broadcaster listings: King (Alenia Pictures, 2009), Saina (T-Series, 2021), Full Strike (2015), Racket Boys (SBS, 2021), Love All Play (KBS2, 2022); Gulf News on Bollywood sports films10
Kodansha, Good! Afternoon listings for Hanebado!; Anime News Network cast reports (2018); Liden Films and Anime Herald announcements (February 2018)10
Poplar Publishing listings for Love All Play; Nippon Animation and ytv broadcast announcements (2022); Anitrendz (June 2022)10
Dictionaries of the languages named: Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Duden, Den Danske Ordbog, Van Dale, Kielitoimiston sanakirja, Eesti keele sõnaraamat, Xiandai Hanyu Cidian, Larousse, Real Academia Española10
Denmark Open, 'The history' (denmarkopen.dk); BWF World Tour tournament history pages; Badminton Planet, 'Denmark Open: bringing credence to the glorious legacy of badminton'10
Olympics.com, 'Viktor Axelsen's Dubai camp' feature; Dubai Media Office (August 2021); Gulf News (2021, 2026); South China Morning Post (2022); IANS (April 2026)10
Badminton Africa history (badmintonafrica.com); Ghana Badminton Association history; Badminton Nigeria (badmintonnigeria.org) and Channels TV reports (2024)10
Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; IIT Kanpur convocation biography of Pullela Gopichand; YourStory, 'This Hyderabad-based institution is where our badminton stars are born' (2016)10
Malay Mail and AFP (March 2020); Bernama and RTHK (18 April 2024); The Vibes, 'Badminton No 1 Kento Momota bounces back from scandal, crash, flop'; Olympics.com athlete profile10