On May 19, 1996, Ra Kyung-min of South Korea and Julia Mann of England met in a women’s singles match at the Uber Cup in Hong Kong. The match lasted just six minutes, making it the shortest badminton match in history.
Ra Kyung-min was the clear favourite going into the match. She was ranked number one in the world at the time, while Mann was ranked number 50. Ra Kyung-min quickly took control of the match, winning the first game 11-2. Mann never recovered, and Ra Kyung-min won the second game 11-1 to finish the match in just six minutes.
The match was so short that many fans in the stadium didn’t even have time to get their food and drinks before it was over. Some fans were even seen leaving the stadium before the match was over.
The short match was a disappointment for Mann, but it was a major victory for Ra Kyung-min. The win helped Ra Kyung-min solidify her position as the best women’s badminton player in the world.
What made the match so short?
There were a few factors that contributed to the short length of the match. First, Ra Kyung-min was simply the better player. She was in top form and was playing at a much higher level than Mann. Second, Mann was not familiar with Ra Kyung-min’s style of play. This gave Ra Kyung-min a significant advantage. Finally, the match was played on a fast court, which made it difficult for Mann to keep up with Ra Kyung-min’s pace.
The legacy of the match
The short match between Ra Kyung-min and Julia Mann is still remembered as one of the most lopsided matches in badminton history. It is a testament to Ra Kyung-min’s skill and dominance at the time. The match also showed the importance of preparation and familiarity with your opponent. If Mann had been more familiar with Ra Kyung-min’s style of play, the match may have been closer.
The short match also raises the question of whether or not there should be a maximum time limit for badminton matches. Some people believe that there should be a limit to prevent matches from becoming too lopsided. Others believe that the length of a match should be up to the players and that there should be no artificial limits.
The debate over whether or not there should be a maximum time limit for badminton matches is likely to continue. However, one thing is for sure: the short match between Ra Kyung-min and Julia Mann will be remembered as one of the most unusual and memorable matches in badminton history.
Also Read: Badminton: Longest match in the history of the sport
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