Smashing the Misconceptions
Written, designed, and photographed by Davis Brown
Foreword
The excitement of an explosive smash, the delightful “ping” of a perfect shot, the consistent barrage of back and forth rallies, and - most of all - the glory of winning a well-played game are the characteristics of badminton that drive my passion. I started playing badminton in freshman year of high school, and like many others of the Mountain View High School (MVHS) Badminton Team, I took the sport extremely seriously by putting in the extra effort each week to improve as an overall better player.
Badminton has become such an important part of my life that I am disappointed when I hear high school students give badminton a bad reputation. I fear that if badminton’s bad reputation remains stagnant, it may stunt its growth in the U.S. as a serious and respectable sport. I hope to see badminton grow in America with the support of the media, and more tournaments for players to compete.
In this book, I want to express my opinions and that of my interviewees, about the realities of badminton. Interestingly, all of my four interviewees were able to express different views and angles about badminton. Wai Lam, the MVHS badminton coach, shared his views about what it takes to be on the school team. Ricel Almirola gave his insight about professional coaching for national tournaments. Bob Davis, a recreational badminton player expressed his views on how badminton has grown. And finally Alec McDonald, a MVHS volleyball player, described how badminton compares to volleyball physically and mentally.
The entire process of creating this book was a fantastic experience. I was able to expand my own knowledge about the sport I am so passionate about, and each of my interviees added to the overall experience by sharing their insight and different perspectives.