Shortest Badminton Match: The 6-Minute Record
Badminton is known as the fastest racket sport globally, with smashes reaching speeds over 190 miles per hour! However, not every match becomes a lengthy, tiring contest. Some end before you even settle into your seat. The quickest professional badminton match took place on May 19, 1996, during the Uber Cup in Hong Kong. In just six minutes, South Korea’s Ra Kyung-min, who was ranked number one at that time, dominated England’s Julia Mann with a score of 11-2, 11-1 using the old scoring system. It was an incredible display of speed and skill, and it remains one of the most lopsided matches in badminton history.
Image source: bwfbadminton.com(Photo credit: Badmintonphoto)
Ra Kyung Min vs Julia Mann: 6‑Minute Uber Cup Showdown
The Uber Cup, which is also called the World Women’s Team Championships, is the premier global event for women’s badminton. This is why the six-minute match between Ra Kyung Min and Julia Mann is so unbelievable. It didn’t take place in some minor qualifier, it was on the biggest stage in the sport, where the top players face off against each other.
The table below shows all the important information about the shortest badminton match that has ever taken place, including the date, venue, and final score.
| Detail | Information |
| Event | Uber Cup (World Women’s Team Championships) |
| Stage | Group Stage (1996 edition) |
| Date | May 19, 1996 |
| Venue | Hong Kong |
| Players | Ra Kyung Min(South Korea) vs Julia Mann(England) |
| Match Duration | 6 minutes |
| Final Score | 11‑2, 11‑1 (old 11‑point scoring system) |
| Winner | Ra Kyung Min |
| Notable Fact | Recognized as the shortest recorded professional badminton match |
Game by Game Breakdown
Game 1: Fast Start Dominance
Score: 11-2
Winner: Ra Kyung Min(South Korea)
Right from the start, Ra Kyung Min dominated the game with her strong jump smashes and precise net shots, leaving Julia Mann in a tough spot. As a representative of England in the Uber Cup, Mann struggled to get into her groove against Ra’s fast footwork and clever shot selections. Within just a few minutes, Ra finished the first game with a score of 11-2, demonstrating the kind of control that set a world record for speed in this match.
Game 2: Dominance to the End
Score: 11-1
Winner: Ra Kyung Min(South Korea)
In the second game, Ra Kyung Min was relentless. By combining powerful attacking clears with precise net shots, she kept Julia Mann on her toes and out of sync. Mann could only score one point as Ra’s swift movements and keen anticipation thwarted every attempt. In less than three minutes, Ra clinched the game 11-1, wrapping up the whole match in only six minutes. This is a record that the Badminton World Federation still acknowledges as the shortest professional match in history.
