Longest Badminton Match Ever: 161 Minutes
Badminton isn’t just about quick smashes and lightning rallies, it can also be a serious test of endurance. On April 30, 2016, at the Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan, China, Japan’s Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao faced Indonesia’s Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in a women’s doubles semi-final that lasted an unbelievable 161 minutes. That’s nearly three hours of non-stop movement, dives, and 40+ shot rallies. In the end, the Japanese pair won 13-21, 21-19, 24-22, setting the record for the longest official badminton match ever. It wasn’t just a game, it was a battle of lungs, legs, and pure willpower.
Image source: Facebook(bwfbadminton)
The Record-Breaking Match
The table below shows all the important information about the longest badminton match that has ever taken place, including the date, location, and final score.
| Detail | Information |
| Event | 2016 Badminton Asia Championships – Women’s Doubles Semi-Final |
| Date | April 30, 2016 |
| Venue | Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium, Wuhan, China |
| Duration | 161 minutes (2 hours 41 minutes) |
| Discipline | Women’s Doubles |
| Team1(Japan) | Naoko Fukuman & Kurumi Yonao |
| Team2(Indonesia) | Greysia Polii & Nitya Krishinda Maheswari |
| Final Score | 13–21, 21–19, 24–22 in favour of Naoko Fukuman & Kurumi Yonao |
| Average Rally Length | 30–40 shots |
| Shuttles Used | Over 30 |
| Previous Record | 124 minutes – Peter Rasmussen vs Sun Jun, 1997 World Championships Final |
Game by Game Breakdown
Game 1: Indonesian Dominance Sets the Stage
Score: 13-21
Winner: Greysia Polii & Nitya Krishinda Maheswari (Indonesia)
Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari kicked off the first game with incredible energy, dominating the net and forcing Japan’s Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao into a defensive position. With rapid net kills and powerful smashes, they surged ahead and maintained their lead. Even when the Japanese duo attempted to slow the pace, Indonesia’s consistent offense clinched the game 21–13, demonstrating their fitness and confidence.
Game 2: A Tactical Masterclass from Japan
Score: 21-19
Winner: Naoko Fukuman & Kurumi Yonao (Japan)
In the second match, Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao displayed incredible determination. They changed their strategy, opting for high, deep clears to slow down Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, aiming to tire them out. The extended rallies began to lead to mistakes from the Indonesian duo, keeping the score very close. At 19-all, the Japanese team remained composed, clinching the final two points to secure a 21-19 victory and level the match.
Game 3: A Historic Marathon for the Ages
Score: 24-22
Winner: Naoko Fukuman & Kurumi Yonao (Japan)
The match was full of intense badminton excitement. Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari started strong, leading 7-4, but Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao made a comeback to level it at 11-11 during the break. Each rally seemed to go on forever, with both teams saving match points. When the score reached 22 all, the Japanese duo executed a smooth net shot followed by a perfect smash to clinch the game 24-22. After 2 hours and 41 minutes, marking the longest match in badminton history, they collapsed to the ground, tired yet thrilled.
