Russian Military is taking up Badminton!

Read the paper this morning? According to Business Insider Europe, the Russian Military is to take on badminton!  Why? "Officials have said that the game requires the same muscles used to throw a grenade or other projectile, while following the shuttlecock trains the eye and improves reaction speeds."

(Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/russian-military-badminton-2011-11#ixzz1dkIcZRI1)

Unfortunately, the Russian Defense Military is denying these allegations. According to The Guardian, it's true that there are courts and rackets in existence, but the military [might not] have plans to actually take up the sport for military technique training. Who knows? 

(Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/14/russia-denies-service-personnel-badminton) 

Badminton's been taking Russia by storm lately-- if you haven't heard, Russian President Dimitri Medvedev was interviewed for his badminton hobby a few months ago. Believing those who play well can make quick decisions, he plays with his soon-to-be successor, Prime Minister Vladmir Putin, during his time off. Cool!

In terms of 'reaction speeds', a group of friends and I were talking about this around the dinner table yesterday, after the BCD+A. They managed to scare me with a screamer video via iPhone, and caught the phone as soon as I had thrown it in fear. At the same time, a nearby waitress had pushed a knife off a table by accident-- quick hands caught it in the blink of an eye. Badminton skills? Perhaps. 

Video: http://www.businessinsider.com/medvedev-putin-badminton-match-2011-10

So if you'd like to practice 'throwing projectiles', take up badminton! 

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In other news, BCD+A tournament results are up. You can see them here: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=2C37EE5B-9820-485C-9DEA-2C9AD6BD19B7

Don't forget to check out Men's Singles A and BCD. Women's Singles A didn't have enough entries, so they were dispersed into the Men's Singles category. I wonder how well they did...

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BADMINTONSQUARE!!!!

November 7th marked the first anniversary of BadmintonSquare! The first tournament that was promoted on the blog was the BCD+A 2010, so it's only fitting that we celebrate in the very weekend of BCD+A 2011!

BadmintonSquare was created to expand the badminton community. Badminton has done so much for me in the past few years. Through this sport I've met so many amazing people--local players, international athletes and big time all-stars! My teammates and opponents became my friends, and these friends became my family. Without the badminton community, I have no idea how I would have kept my sanity throughout my high school and university years. BadmintonSquare is giving me the opportunity to give back, and hopefully I can share what I've learned with you.

It's been great fun running this blog for the past year, and there will only be more improvements to come! Here are some weird facts about BadmintonSquare to keep your hunger satiated:

The most popular post of all time, winning by a LARGE 'viewer' vote, the T-Shirt Design post!  Looks like badminton players are quite stylish. I've been collecting photos of designs from tournaments all over the world, so I'll be sure to post them up soon!

A majority of my viewers use Internet Explorer and Firefox to keep updated with their badminton news, but I've gotten a few other ones that I've never heard of before. Iron? Rockmelt? Snazzy-- where are you guys from?

iPods, iPads, iPhones....Androids, Blackberries-- glad you guys are keeping in touch on-the-go! Let me know if I can make the blog easier for your small-screen viewing pleasure :)

We've gotten hits from all over the world-- the US, Canada, Phillippines, Singapore, Myanmar, India, Malaysia, UK, Afghanistan, Romania, Latvia, Germany, France, Indonesia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Korea....AND MORE! Send me your tournament information and help me make BadmintonSquare INTERNATIONAL!


I got a little bored and googled "BadmintonSquare" and I found a song called "Breakdance on the corner of Badminton Square"......WILL DO! (Is it a remix of some sort?)

If there's anything you'd like to share -- tournaments, players profiles, tips and tricks...leave a comment in the comment box! BadmintonSquare is here to help you improve your game and expand your community, so let me know what I can do to help!

Well, I'm going to head out to watch the BCD+A to celebrate. :) Thank you all for following BadmintonSquare! Don't forget to send me feedback via "comments" below, and subscribe!

Can't decide what to do with your mountain of badminton T-shirts?

(taken from Reddit.com):
My mom and aunt made a quilt of all my old band/concert shirts. Best gift I ever received!

I have an insane amount of badminton T-shirts that have been washed so many times that they're almost unwearable. That, or they've been pushed to the back of my closet and have since been completely forgotten. Anyone want to make me a quilt?

Off topic, but BCD+A tournament draws will be up next week! Look forward to seeing you all there on Veteran's/Remembrance Day weekend!