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Badminton · Interesting Facts

Chapter 8: Players & Legends

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 29 October 2026 · markdown

Behind the results are the players' own stories. Lee Chong Wei, winner of three Olympic silver medals, was away from the court from mid-2018 to June 2019 with an illness first described as a breathing problem, had chemotherapy and said his health came first. Carolina Marín from Huelva suffered three serious knee injuries in five years, in 2019, 2021 and 2024; the last ended her Games while she led 10-6 in the second game. Lin Dan, nicknamed Super Dan after the 2004 All England, retired in July 2020 after twenty years in the national team, announcing it on Weibo.

Families run through the sport. The Sidek brothers of Banting, south-west of Kuala Lumpur, were trained at home by their father, Mohd Sidek Abdullah Kamar, and Razif and Jalani played doubles in Malaysia's 1992 Thomas Cup team. Judy Hashman, born in Winnipeg and coached by her father Frank Devlin in Baltimore, played for the USA and then for England after her marriage. Tai Tzu-ying, Taiwan's first world number one, retired in November 2025 without a farewell match. Others found second careers as administrators, coaches and business people.

The facts below cover Lee Chong Wei off court, Carolina Marín's knees, the Sidek brothers, nicknames, badminton families, Lin Dan's farewell, Saina and Sindhu off court, Tai Tzu-ying's farewell, Judy Hashman and second careers.

8.81Lee Chong Wei Off Court

Cancer, a film and a tearful farewell.

Test 1Lee Chong Wei off courtTake a test

  1. It was first described as a breathing problem.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  2. He recovered there with his family.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  3. He also had chemotherapy.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  4. He was away from the court for months.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  5. He said his health came first.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  6. It tells of his childhood and rise.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  7. The substance was an anti-inflammatory; the ban was backdated.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  8. 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  9. From mid-2018 to June 2019.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · recall

  10. He won three Olympic silver medals.

    Source: Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015) · applied

8.82Carolina Marín's Knees

Three serious knee injuries in five years.

Test 1Carolina Marín's kneesTake a test

  1. Players call it the ACL.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  2. She was out for about eight months.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  3. This time it was her left knee.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  4. She was leading 10-6 in the second game.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  5. She lasted only two more points.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  6. The injury ended her Games.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  7. She decided not to risk her knee again.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  8. 2019, 2021, 2024.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  9. She then missed the bronze medal match too.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · recall

  10. She is from Huelva, in Andalusia.

    Source: Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026) · applied

8.83The Sidek Brothers

Five brothers from Banting, trained by their father at home.

Test 1The Sidek brothersTake a test

  1. The family had six sons and two daughters.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  2. Mohd Sidek Abdullah Kamar was a former player turned coach.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  3. It is south-west of Kuala Lumpur.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  4. He later became a coach himself.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  5. Razif and Jalani played doubles in that team.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  6. Malaysia's previous win was in 1967.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  7. An exhibition about them opened in 2024.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  8. Misbun led the group.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  9. 1936, 1992, 2020, 2024.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · recall

  10. Their father trained them at home.

    Source: Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025) · applied

8.84Nicknames

Super Dan, the Minions and the Daddies.

Test 1NicknamesTake a test

  1. The name stuck after the 2004 All England.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  2. Gade was his opponent in that final.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  3. They were world number ones for a long spell.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  4. The yellow film characters are small and quick.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  5. Gideon has said he finds the name fun.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  6. They kept winning into their thirties as fathers.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  7. Indonesia has a long line of great doubles pairs.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  8. 2004, 2017, 2019.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  9. Born 1984, 1987, 1991 and 1995.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · recall

  10. They are Kevin Sanjaya and Marcus Gideon.

    Source: The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title · applied

8.85Badminton Families

Fathers, daughters, sisters and brothers at the top.

Test 1Badminton familiesTake a test

  1. He won 18 All England titles himself.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  2. The two sisters won doubles titles together.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  3. They won in 1921 and 1924.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  4. Ralph also won the singles that year.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  5. Eddy also won four men's singles titles.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  6. Kitty was also an All England badminton champion.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  7. He trained them at home in Banting.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  8. 1921, 1938, 1992.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  9. 1929, 1935, 1960.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · recall

  10. Judy was born in Winnipeg, Canada.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family · applied

8.86Lin Dan's Farewell

Twenty years in the national team, and a goodbye on social media.

Test 1Lin Dan's farewellTake a test

  1. He posted it on Weibo.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  2. It is China's main microblog.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  3. He said it was very hard to say goodbye.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  4. Younger Chinese players were ranked above him.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  5. He had several early exits in 2019.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  6. She wrote of the twenty years they had walked together.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  7. He also spoke of looking for a new 'competition'.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  8. 2004, 2008, 2012, 2020.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  9. 2, 19, 20.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · recall

  10. He retired in July 2020.

    Source: AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020) · applied

8.87Saina and Sindhu Off Court

Volleyball parents, Forbes lists and two marriages.

Test 1Saina and Sindhu off courtTake a test

  1. Her father won Asian Games bronze in 1986.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  2. It is India's award for outstanding sportspeople.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  3. Indian Railways has a strong sports tradition.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  4. She earned about US$8.5 million in the 2018 list.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  5. The wedding was on 14 December 2018.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  6. They had been married about six and a half years.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  7. He had won Commonwealth Games gold in 2014.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  8. 1986, 2000, 2018, 2025.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  9. December 2018, January 2024, July 2025.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · recall

  10. Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap trained under Gopichand.

    Source: Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025) · applied

8.88Tai Tzu-ying's Farewell

Taiwan's first world number one says goodbye without a farewell match.

Test 1Tai Tzu-ying's farewellTake a test

  1. She posted the news late on a Friday.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  2. The trouble began late in 2023.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  3. She announced it on social media instead.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  4. She lost the final to Chen Yufei.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  5. In 2017, 2018 and 2020.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  6. She won it again in 2016 and 2020.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  7. She kept playing into 2025.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  8. 2017, 2018, 2020.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  9. 2014, 2021, late 2023, November 2025.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · recall

  10. She retired in November 2025.

    Source: Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023) · applied

8.89Judy Hashman

Born in Canada, raised in America, a champion for the USA and England.

Test 1Judy HashmanTake a test

  1. Her family moved to Baltimore when she was young.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  2. Her father, Frank Devlin, coached there.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  3. Ten were in singles.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  4. Sports Illustrated covered her 'final curtain call'.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  5. She later played for England.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  6. She had switched nationality after her marriage.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  7. It marked her retirement from the US scene.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  8. 1935, 1960, 1967, 1972.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  9. 7, 10 and 12.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · recall

  10. She played for the USA, then for England after marrying.

    Source: USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967) · applied

8.90Second Careers

Administrators, coaches and business people after playing.

Test 1Second careersTake a test

  1. He was its first President.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  2. He entered the Hall of Fame as an administrator in 2026.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  3. It opened in Hyderabad in 2008.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  4. His company makes badminton rackets and shoes.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  5. He had been a Commonwealth champion.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  6. He was chosen as Chief Executive in the late 1970s.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  7. She gave Martina Navratilova her Wimbledon trophy.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  8. 1934, 1990, 2008, 2024.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  9. 1996, 2013, 2026.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · recall

  10. Pullela Gopichand won it in Birmingham.

    Source: Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap · applied

Questions people ask

Why did Lee Chong Wei stop playing?
Illness kept him off the court from mid-2018 to June 2019, and he had chemotherapy. He said his health came first.
How many times has Carolina Marín injured her knee?
Three serious knee injuries in five years, in 2019, 2021 and 2024. The last ended her Games while she led 10-6 in the second game.
Who are the Sidek brothers?
Five brothers from Banting, south-west of Kuala Lumpur, trained at home by their father, Mohd Sidek Abdullah Kamar. Razif and Jalani played doubles in Malaysia's 1992 Thomas Cup team.
Why is Lin Dan called Super Dan?
Peter Gade, his opponent in the 2004 All England final, first called him 'Super Dan', and the name stuck.
Who are the Minions in badminton?
Kevin Sanjaya and Marcus Gideon, a doubles pair named after the small, quick yellow film characters. They were world number ones for a long spell.
When did Tai Tzu-ying retire?
She announced her retirement on social media in November 2025, without a farewell match.
Which countries did Judy Hashman play for?
She played for the USA and later for England, after switching nationality following her marriage. She was born in Winnipeg, Canada.

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.

  • Badminton Association of Malaysia statement (September 2018); Inquirer Sports and Borneo Post (2018); Scroll.in (2018); Bernama on his retirement (13 June 2019); BWF anti-doping decision (2015)10
  • Badminton Planet, 'Carolina Marín: I don't know if I can play again'; New Straits Times and The Bridge (August 2024); AP report on her retirement (2026)10
  • Malay Mail, 'Malaysian badminton legends in Sidek brothers celebrated with monument in Selangor' (2020); Selangor Journal (2024); New Straits Times TimeSport podcast on the Sidek dynasty (2025)10
  • The Bridge, 'Why is this Indonesian pair called the Minions?'; Badminton Bites; BWF and All England reports on Lin Dan's 2004 title10
  • Badminton Museum, 'The History of the All-England Badminton Championships' and 'Kitty Godfree'; USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; Malay Mail (2020) on the Sidek family10
  • AFP via Arab News and The Peninsula (4 July 2020); Manila Bulletin and Deccan Herald (July 2020); Scroll.in (July 2020)10
  • Olympics.com athlete profile of P. V. Sindhu; Business Insider India, 'Unknown facts about world champion P. V. Sindhu' (2019); Forbes highest-paid female athletes lists (2018, 2019); ETV Bharat and The Bridge (July 2025)10
  • Malay Mail and AFP (8 November 2025); Taiwan News (2025); Badminton Planet, 'Tai Tzu Ying officially announces retirement'; Taipei Times (April 2023); Bernama (2023)10
  • USA Badminton, 'Badminton world mourns Judy Devlin Hashman'; BWF, 'Stars of the past: Judy Devlin Hashman' (2020); Sports Illustrated Vault, 'Judy takes a final curtain call' (24 April 1967)10
  • Badminton Museum, 'Sir George Thomas'; BWF Hall of Fame news (2026); Open Magazine, 'The Gopichand Factory'; Britannica, 'Li Ning'; The Bridge (July 2025) on Parupalli Kashyap10