Yoneyama King Dia Racket
Photos: – Geoff Hinder Click on images to enlarge
The National Badminton Museum has recently been able to acquire a Yoneyama King Dia wooden badminton racket circa 1965. The King Dia weighs 132 grams, a modern graphite racket weighs approximately 92 grams.
In 1946 Minoru Yoneyama established his company just after the end of World War II using a single one horsepower motor, the company produced wooden floats for fishing nets and other wooden products. In 1957 the Yoneyama company evolved into manufacturing badminton rackets under other brand names. Minoru Yoneyama introduced the first Yoneyama brand badminton racket in 1961 and with the company’s commitment to innovation by 1968 had introduced the world’s first badminton racket with an aluminium head, the Yoneyama 7000.
1968 Yoneyama 7000, the world’s first badminton racket with an aluminium head.
The late Minoru Yoneyama founder of the Yoneyama and Yonex companies.
Photo: – 1996 Peter Richardson
In 1973 the company’s new ‘YY’ logo with blue and green colour combinations was introduced and soon became a familiar sight on badminton and tennis courts around the globe. One year later, the company and brand name changed to YONEX.
1973 Yoneyama Hy-Stainless Racket.
The Yonex company now produces tennis, badminton rackets and clothing also a full range of golfing equipment and many other sporting products.
For more information about the history of the Yonex All-England Badminton Championships – Click Here.
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These rackets and many more can be seen at the National Badminton Museum, National Badminton Centre, Bradwell Road, Loughton Lodge, MILTON KEYNES MK8 9LA.
Visitors are welcome to look around the Museum unescorted at any time – The National Badminton Centre is normally open 9am to 8pm every day.
Free Admission.
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Accessibility
The National Badminton Museum is on the 1st floor with a lift. Disabled toilet facilities are available on the 1st floor. There is no wheelchair accessibility to the Museum office.
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There is a restaurant on the first floor serving breakfasts every day of the week and light lunches on weekdays.
Free parking at the National Badminton Centre.
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National Badminton Centre
Lodge Hotel.
For more information and to book a room – Click Here.
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2025 Yonex All-England Badminton Championships
Tuesday 11 March 2025 to Sunday 16 March 2025.
At the Utilita Arena, Birmingham.
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If you have any badminton memorabilia, archive material, or any other items and would like to donate them to the National Badminton Museum please contact us at: –
museum@badmintonengland.co.uk
Thank you to all the ‘Friends of the Museum’ and people who have made donations to the National Badminton Museum, your support enables us to purchase extremely rare badminton artefacts for the National Collection as they become available.
The National Badminton Museum is a small charity administered by volunteers. Help preserve the history of badminton by making a donation or becoming a ‘Friend of the Museum’. Any donations to the National Badminton Museum will help us to expand the collection of memorabilia, books, and documents to make these items readily available to all.
To become a ‘Friend of the Museum’ or to make a donation to the National Badminton Museum online or by cheque go to: – ‘Home’ – ‘Friends and Donations’. – Click Here. or use the QR Code – Thank you.
