History of Badminton

The history of badminton can be traced back many to the games of battledore and shuttlecock
which were played in ancient Greece over 2000 years ago. The game we all know as badminton
began in the 19th century (1870) and was named by the Duke of Beaufort after Badminton
House in Gloucestershire1. The International Badminton Federation now has its base in
Gloucestershire.
Print of People Playing Badminton in India.
In England there had long been a children's game known as "battledore and shuttlecock". Players
used a paddle, called a battledore, to keep a cork stuffed with feathers, called a shuttlecock, in
the air for as long as possible. This game had been popular since medieval times. The modern
version had migrated somehow to India and then back again.
England played the same badminton rules as India until 1887. The Bath Badminton Club
standardized the rules and regulations, making the game more inclined towards the English
ideas of how the game should be played. The Badminton Association of England published the
first set of rules in line with the new regulations in 1893 and officially launched the game of
Badminton. The All England Open Badminton Championships began in 1899 and were the world's
first badminton competition.
In 1934 the International Badminton Federation (IBF), which now known as the Badminton World
Federation, was established. England, France, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Ireland, Scotland and Wales were the first members. In 1936 India joined as an affiliate. Globally
the Badminton World Federation (BWF) governs and promotes the sport.
The history of badminton in the United States began with the first Badminton club, the
Badminton Club of New York, founded in 1878. The game flourished in the 1930s when places
such as the YMCA and educational institutions began offering badminton instruction. Badminton
became a popular pastime for many Hollywood stars including James Cagney, Bette Davis,
Ginger Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks, which also helped to promote the sport in the 1930s.
The different badminton groups throughout the Untied States got together to standardize the
rules and regulations of the game in 1936. 1937 saw the first ABA championships and a year
later it became a member of the International Badminton Federation.
The United States singles player, David Freeman, won the All England World Championships in
1949, while the All England World Championship doubles were won the same year by the
American players Clinton and Patsy Stevens, although the All-England Championships were
considered the unofficial world championships until 1977.
Between 1949 and 1967 the United States won 23 world championships and much acclaimed
success in world rankings.
Although the history of badminton originated in England this international sport has been largely
dominated by Asian countries and Denmark over the last few decades. Countries including South
Korea, Malaysia, China and Indonesia have all produced world class players. China is currently

the strongest badminton country, winning many major championships consistently over the last
few years.

History of Arnis

The Philippines is an island nation rich in both culture and history. The Filipino martial art of
Arnis/Kali/Escrima has contributed to both the history and diversity of the Philippines. There are
an abundance of styles and systems of Arnis/Kali/Escrima that are taught throughout the world to
this day, that have survived and developed throughout the different regions, families and
teachers who have preserved what is sometimes called a complete martial art.
Arnis/Kali/Escrima was originally developed by the people native to the islands using simple
impact and edged weapons such as kampilans, rattan, swords, daggers, spears and other
assorted weaponry for combat and self defense. These weapons were also sometimes used as
farm implements.
The arrival of Ferdinand Magellans force in 1521 was met in battle with a group of islanders, led
by Raja Lapu Lapu, who defeated Magellan using only a bladed weapon. Magellans armored and
musket bearing conquistadors were overpowered by the fierce fighters and retreated. The
Spanish returned in the 1570s and this time the Philippines came under Spanish rule unable to
contend with the modern weaponry the Spanish used. The practice of Arnis/Kali/Escrima was
prohibited, but continued and was preserved through native ritual dance, performance, and
mock battles. Thus the arts were passed down in families from generation to generation, honing
their skill, speed, accuracy and agility.
The terms Arnis, Kali and Escrima are all used to refer to the Filipino martial arts. There has been
some confusion as to what word refers to which part of the martial art. It is believed that Arnis,
Kali, and Escrima are all a part of the same art and depending on the location, dialect and type of
training taught. Also, any of the three names may apply to a certain part of training. One
interpretation is that Kali is the mother art of Arnis and Escrima. Arnis focuses on the knife,
including dagger, sword, and any other form of bladed weapon. Escrima is based on the baston
or stick. It has also become very popular in the sport aspect of full contact stick fighting.
To this day Arnis/Kali/Escrima has retained a strong Spanish influence not only in the names and
titles used in training, but in the impact it has had on Filipino culture. Filipino martial arts

continue to encompass a large range of weapons training and hand-to-hand combat, enriching
the culture of Filipino society. Thus the reference to it being a complete martial art.