VICTOR (Chinese: 勝利; also referred to as VICTOR Badminton) is a Taiwanese sporting-goods brand specialising in badminton equipment. Founded in Taipei in 1968, the company originally manufactured shuttlecocks before expanding into rackets, strings, footwear, apparel, bags and accessories 1. VICTOR currently distributes products in more than 60 countries across five continents and positions itself as an international brand focused on research, development and professional competition 1.

The company’s English corporate name is Victor Rackets Industrial Corp. Although it now produces a wide range of sporting goods, its origins lie specifically in badminton manufacturing rather than general sportswear 2.

Key facts

Foundation and shuttlecock manufacturing

VICTOR was established in Taipei in 1968 by Chen Den-Li, with initial operations centred exclusively on badminton shuttlecocks. Chen approached production from an engineering perspective, analysing variables such as weight, dimensions, feather placement and construction to develop standardised manufacturing processes. Within approximately two years, VICTOR had become the leading shuttlecock brand in Taiwan 3. This origin distinguishes the brand from competitors that began with rackets or apparel; VICTOR’s identity is rooted in shuttlecock manufacturing.

Expansion into rackets

During the 1970s, VICTOR developed proprietary badminton rackets and expanded its production and distribution networks. The VICTOR trademark was formally registered in 1976, coinciding with the establishment of dedicated racket manufacturing capabilities. Exports to Japan commenced during this period, followed by expansion into Europe and other regions 3. These developments transformed the company from a domestic shuttlecock producer into a comprehensive badminton equipment manufacturer.

Carbon-fibre technology and international growth

The 1980s marked significant technological advancement for VICTOR. The company introduced its first all-carbon badminton racket, the COLUMBIA, signalling a transition to modern composite construction. Concurrently, VICTOR expanded into apparel and increased international sponsorship and distribution activities 3. Historical records indicate that European market presence grew substantially during this decade, alongside the initiation of footwear development. This era solidified VICTOR’s identity as a badminton specialist rather than a general sportswear company.

Nanjing production base

In the early 1990s, VICTOR established a major production centre in Nanjing, China. Company timelines record the opening of this facility in 1992, alongside the launch of its first badminton footwear line 4. The Nanjing base facilitated manufacturing scale-up for international markets. While VICTOR remains a Taiwanese-founded brand, its manufacturing operations have since diversified across multiple locations.

Professional brand evolution

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, VICTOR adopted a model typical of major professional sports equipment brands, encompassing product R&D, professional player testing, national team sponsorship, tournament partnerships, specialised racket technologies, dedicated footwear development and international distribution. Products became increasingly associated with professional-level competition and BWF-approved standards. The global website currently organises business operations around rackets, shoes, shuttlecocks, bags, apparel, equipment and accessories, complemented by player and team sponsorships and badminton education initiatives 3.

VICTOR maintains extensive relationships with professional badminton entities, including national teams, international organisations, tournaments and elite players.

National teams and federations

Significant team partnerships include:

• Malaysia national badminton team
• Denmark national badminton team
• Chinese Taipei badminton
• French national badminton team
• Badminton Oceania

Historical records note official partnerships with the Korean national team beginning in 2009, the Malaysian national team in 2015, and Badminton Denmark in 2017 4. Additionally, VICTOR entered a six-year partnership with the French Badminton Federation covering 2025–2030; from 2027, the brand is scheduled to become title partner of the French Open at Super 750 level 5.

BWF collaborations

VICTOR served as Official Equipment Partner of the BWF Team Championships from 2022 to 2025. In 2025, the company announced a renewal extending this role for the 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Denmark 3. The Thomas Cup, Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup rank among badminton’s most prestigious international team competitions, underscoring VICTOR’s strategy of building credibility through elite competition rather than consumer marketing alone.

Notable players

VICTOR has been associated with numerous high-level athletes:

Tai Tzu-ying

Tai Tzu-ying is among the most prominent athletes linked to VICTOR. Her technical playing style and exceptional control align with the brand’s image of precision-oriented equipment. VICTOR has released dedicated collections in her name, including the YINGcredible / Tai Tzu-ying Tribute Collection 3.

Lee Zii-jia

Malaysian star Lee Zii-jia represents another key partnership. His association has enhanced VICTOR’s visibility in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, with the brand featuring him prominently in its 2022 international campaign 6.

Other affiliated players

Additional notable players include:

• Anders Antonsen
• Kodai Naraoka
• Hendra Setiawan
• Mohammad Ahsan
• Wang Tzu-wei
• Apriyani Rahayu
• Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti

International materials list these athletes among VICTOR’s key partnerships 1.

Badminton rackets

Rackets constitute the most visible segment of the modern VICTOR brand. The lineup is categorised by performance philosophy, including models designed for attacking power, speed, control, handling, stability and all-round performance. Key racket families include:

• THRUSTER: Associated with attack and power, emphasising power transmission, racket-head stability and shaft performance 3.
• AURASPEED: Designed for speed and fast handling, suited to players prioritising rapid exchanges and manoeuvrability.
• DriveX: Focused on balanced handling and control.
• CROWN and special collections: Limited editions and player collaborations, including Tai Tzu-ying signature lines.

Racket technology

VICTOR emphasises materials engineering in its brand identity. Modern rackets incorporate technologies such as high-modulus graphite, PYROFIL carbon fibre, HARD CORED TECHNOLOGY, specialised shaft structures, anti-torsion systems, aerodynamic frame designs and metallic carbon-fibre constructions. PYROFIL is described as a Japanese high-performance carbon-fibre material combining strength and light weight, while shaft technologies aim to enhance power transmission, stability and handling 3. This technical focus reinforces VICTOR’s positioning as a performance-oriented brand rather than a lifestyle label.

Shuttlecocks

Shuttlecocks remain central to VICTOR’s heritage. The brand continues to produce feather shuttlecocks for competition use. The MASTER NO.1 model is BWF-approved for international play and features a full-cork head with goose feathers 3. This product line demonstrates continuity from the company’s 1968 founding through its current status as a comprehensive equipment supplier.

Badminton shoes

Footwear development addresses badminton-specific movement patterns, including lateral movement, rapid stopping, explosive acceleration, jumping, rotational stability and impact absorption. Technologies include ENERGYMAX cushioning, carbon-fibre support structures, specialised lasts and wear-resistant materials 3. Unlike running shoes, badminton footwear requires substantial side-to-side stability and directional change capability, necessitating specialised design.

Strings

VICTOR produces badminton strings categorised by control, high resilience and durability. Different models affect impact feel, shuttle retention, repulsion and longevity 7, allowing players to customise racket performance beyond frame selection.

Apparel, bags and accessories

The product ecosystem encompasses tournament jerseys, training apparel, shorts, socks, backpacks, racket bags, grips, accessories, stringing equipment and related items. Current catalogues also feature collaboration collections with Dragon Ball Z, Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan and Peanuts, reflecting expansion into lifestyle and fan-oriented products alongside performance gear 8.

VICTOR’s philosophy centres on badminton specialisation, technological development and continuous improvement, with a stated mission to strengthen and popularise the sport globally 1. Founder Chen Den-Li emphasised innovation throughout his tenure, describing the shuttlecock’s 16 feathers as symbolic of badminton players’ dreams 1.

Chen Den-Li (陳登立) founded VICTOR in 1968 and led its development for over five decades. He stepped down as chairman at the end of 2019, transferring leadership to the next generation 5. Chen died on 4 January 2024 at age 89; the company described his life’s work as deeply connected to badminton’s development and promotion 9.

VICTOR is regarded as one of the major global specialist badminton brands, alongside Yonex (Japan), Li-Ning (China), Mizuno (Japan) and Babolat (France). Its competitive advantage lies in specialisation; unlike diversified sports conglomerates, VICTOR has built its international identity almost entirely around badminton, concentrating product development, sponsorship and marketing on badminton athletes.

Distinctive characteristics include:

• Shuttlecock origins: Unusual history compared to brands starting with apparel or tennis equipment.
• Professional involvement: National teams, elite players and BWF events are central to brand strategy.
• Engineering focus: Significant investment in carbon-fibre materials, shaft construction, aerodynamic frames and footwear technology.
• Global reach with Asian roots: Founded in Taiwan with significant markets across Asia, Europe and beyond.
• Comprehensive coverage: Players can equip themselves entirely with VICTOR products across rackets, strings, shoes, shuttlecocks, apparel, bags and accessories.

Presence in Malaysia

VICTOR enjoys particularly strong visibility in Malaysia, where badminton ranks among the most popular sports. The company became official partner and equipment supplier to the Malaysian national badminton team in 2015 4. Combined with athletes such as Lee Zii-jia, this relationship has made VICTOR highly recognisable in the Malaysian market, associating the brand closely with the country’s professional badminton scene rather than positioning it merely as imported Taiwanese equipment.

1. About us – Victor Sports
2. Victor (sports company)
3. 2013 http://www.victorsport.com
4. Historie
5. VICTOR攜手法國羽協 正式成為2025-2030官方合作夥伴 – VICTOR 香港官方網站 │羽毛球用品領導品牌
6. 2022 Brand Campaign: Show Your Strength with VICTOR! – VICTOR Badminton | Australia
7. Introduction to the types of badminton string – Victor Badminton | US & Canada
8. Collections – victorsportproducts
9. In Memory of the Founder of VICTOR, Den-Li Chen | VICTOR Badminton | Europe