Madrid, the place for badminton stars
It might seem like the history of badminton in Spain is very recent thanks to the achievements of Carolina Marin. However, there were already recognized Spanish players on the international scene even before the Andalusian hurricane. And while these pioneers were getting into this exciting sport, the Spanish Badminton Federation was also starting to organize international events.
Since the first years of the SBF, these events have been numerous and varied in terms of level and category, and those on the HSBC World Tour circuit are among the most prominent in history. Although this is the first time Madrid has had the privilege of naming the Spain Masters, this tournament has already left great excitement in Spain with the four editions held between Barcelona (2018-2020) and Huelva (2021).
To talk about the first international badminton tournament hosted in the capital of Spain, we must go back to 1974 to the first edition of the Spanish International, an European Badminton Circuit tournament, which this year celebrates its 36th edition. Most of them have taken place in Madrid at the Marques de Samaranch sports center of the iconic neighborhood of Arganzuela. In addition, Madrid can proudly say that in 2006 it was the first city in the country to host a World Badminton Championship. A historic event for Spain and badminton, as it brought together the best players in the world at the legendary Palacio de los Deportes, currently known as Wizink Center.
Anyone nostalgic for that event in which Madrid still remember that it welcomed world stars such as Lin Dan, Peter Gade, or Lee Chong Wei and some of the best Spanish players before Carolina Marín, such as Sergio Llopis, Dolores Marco, Nicolas Escartín or José Antonio Crespo. Madrid has remained closely linked to this sport since then and became the capital of badminton again just a year ago, hosting the European Championship. A tournament for history at all levels and especially remembered for being Carolina Marin's return to the courts after her injury and because Marín conquered her sixth consecutive European gold too.
But Madrid has not only been a mandatory stop for absolute category athletes, as it also used to host the Spanish Junior International in which great international and Spanish promises had their moment to shin, such as Ernesto Velázquez and Sandra Chirlaque among many others. Madrid has been linked to badminton for decades and has always stood out as a remarkably attractive venue for athletes and fans. Now it is the time for the Madrid Spain Masters, which will gather the best athletes of the world for the next four years and will continue with a great work to bring great badminton events to Spain that started years ago. Will you join us?
