Helena Frye
The Japanese badminton pair of Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino have had a lot of success in mixed doubles competitions. They won bronze medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, as well as four medals at the BWF World Championships. In 2019, they defended their Hong Kong Open title, and in 2020, they won the All England Open. While I couldn't find specifics on the rackets used by this pair, some popular rackets used by advanced doubles players include the Yonex Arcsaber 11 Play, the Nanoflare 800 Game, the Astrox 100 ZZ, and the Li-Ning Windstorm 72 S.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rackets used by Japanese badminton doubles players | Yonex Arcsaber 11 Play, Astrox 100 ZZ, Nanoflare 800, Duora Z Strike, Nanoflare 1000, CBX 900, Li-Ning Windstorm 72 S, Li-Ning Windstorm 78 S, Li-Ning Wind Lite 900, Victor Brave Sword 12, Dunlop Z-Star Power 88 |
| Rackets used by Yuta Watanabe, Japanese men's doubles champion | Astrox 100 ZZ, Nanoflare 800 |
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What You'll Learn
Yugo Kobayashi's Duora Z Strike
Yugo Kobayashi is a Japanese badminton player who uses the Yonex Duora Z Strike racket. This offensive racket is specially designed to enhance power, speed, and control, giving players a strategic advantage on the court. The racket's design incorporates NANOMETRIC material, which employs NANOALLOY technology from Toray Industries, resulting in improved strength and reduced twisting upon impact.
The Duora Z Strike also features an enhanced graphite composition based on NANOSCIENCE technology, which facilitates a firm shuttle hold and maximum repulsion. This technology enables faster swing speeds and provides a solid feel. Additionally, the racket's design reduces air resistance, improving the overall feel with the shuttlecock.
The Yonex Duora Z Strike is part of the Dual Dynamic Design series, which offers two contrasting racquet profiles in one unique design. This feature allows players to enhance their performance on both the forehand and backhand sides. The racket also includes eight linked grommets with varying thicknesses on either side of the frame.
The Duora Z Strike racket used by Yugo Kobayashi in the 2022 Malaysia Open men's doubles final is a particularly notable specimen. After winning the final, Kobayashi threw this racket, weighing around 80g, into the crowd. This specific racket is not available for purchase and is only intended for display purposes.
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Yuta Watanabe's racket of choice
Yuta Watanabe is a Japanese badminton player, who is a former member of the Japanese national team and joined J-Power in April 2025. Watanabe is known for his quick and explosive movements with signature drop shots.
Watanabe originally played with a Halbertech 8000 racket, which is pink and blue in colour. However, more recently, he has been seen using a green and pink racket, which some believe to be the Halbertech 9000.
Watanabe has achieved success with a variety of partners. In 2016, he won his first senior title at the Vietnam International Challenge in the mixed doubles, paired with Higashino. In the same year, he became a runner-up in the men's doubles with Mitsuhashi. In 2017, he started a partnership with Hiroyuki Endo in the men's doubles, and they went on to become the first Japanese men's doubles champions at the All England Open.
Watanabe has also had success with other partners, including Arisa Higashino, with whom he won consecutive mixed doubles bronze medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. The pair also secured four medals at the BWF World Championships.
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Top Japanese rackets for beginners
Japanese badminton rackets are known for their precision engineering, innovation, and performance-enhancing features. They are crafted from advanced materials, such as high-quality graphite or carbon, resulting in durable and lightweight designs. Here are some of the top Japanese rackets that are suitable for beginners:
Yonex Arcsaber 11 Play: This racket is an excellent choice for beginners and low-intermediate players. Yonex is a renowned Japanese brand with a history in crafting badminton rackets, known for their precision, power, and innovative designs. The Isometric head shape of Yonex rackets provides a larger sweet spot, improving accuracy and control.
Nanoflare 800 Game: The Nanoflare series by Yonex is another good option for beginners. The 800 model offers a balance between stiffness and responsiveness, making it easier to generate power throughout the game.
Butterfly Rackets with Flextra Rubber: Butterfly rackets with Flextra rubber are ideal for beginners in table tennis or ping pong. This rubber provides exceptional control and features a very large sweet spot, making it easier to hit consistent shots with good spin.
European Grippy/Hybrid Rubbers: For table tennis beginners, it is recommended to use European grippy or hybrid rubbers. These rubbers offer a higher margin for error and are more suitable if your technique is not yet perfected.
When choosing a badminton racket, it is important to consider your skill level and playing style. For beginners, a more flexible racket can be advantageous as it offers more assistance with technique and timing. Additionally, head-light rackets are generally better suited for front court and net play, while head-heavy rackets excel in the rear court.
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Popular Japanese rackets for advanced players
Japanese badminton rackets are known for their quality, performance, and innovation, making them a popular choice among players of all skill levels. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in Japanese sports equipment extend to badminton rackets, which are designed with advanced materials and technologies to enhance performance.
When it comes to popular Japanese badminton rackets for advanced players, there are several brands and models to consider. Here are some options:
Yonex Rackets
Yonex is a well-known Japanese brand that offers a range of rackets for different playing styles and skill levels. Their rackets are known for providing power and control. One of their popular models is the Arcsaber series, which includes the Arcsaber 11 Play and the Arcsaber 7 Tour. The Arcsaber 11 Play is suitable for beginners and low-intermediate players, while the Arcsaber 7 Tour is an upgrade for intermediate-level players. Another option in the Yonex lineup is the Nanoflare 800 Game, which offers a crisp, stiff, and responsive feel, making it easier to generate power during gameplay.
Mizuno Rackets
Mizuno is a Japanese brand that focuses on enhancing the feel and response of their rackets, providing players with more feedback during rallies. This feature makes Mizuno rackets popular among intermediate and advanced players who value a solid and controlled swing. The rackets are designed with materials that improve overall performance, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable playing experience.
Gosen Rackets
Gosen is a Japanese brand that has gained recognition in the badminton world, particularly for its high-quality strings. Their rackets are also noteworthy for their durability and consistency. Gosen sets itself apart by prioritizing control and stability, making their rackets ideal for players who favor strategic gameplay over sheer power.
Astrox Rackets
The Astrox 100ZZ racket is a preferred choice among some professional men's doubles players, especially for the rear court, due to its ability to deliver powerful smashes. This racket is not recommended for beginners because of its extra-stiff shaft, which demands a good technique to master.
Duora Z Strike
The Duora Z Strike racket is used by prominent Japanese badminton players like Yugo Kobayashi. It offers a fast and responsive playing experience, aligning with the strategic focus on counter-attacking and defence in doubles gameplay.
Japanese badminton rackets offer a range of options for advanced players, each with its unique features, technologies, and playing characteristics. These rackets are designed to enhance performance, provide control, and offer a consistent playing experience for competitive and recreational players alike.
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Japanese rackets for doubles play
Japanese badminton rackets are known for their precision and quality in manufacturing, with a deep tradition of craftsmanship. Japanese brands have become a prominent choice for badminton players worldwide, offering unparalleled performance through innovation and precision. The right badminton racket for doubles play should be powerful and manoeuvrable, with a large sweet spot to accommodate quick moves and off-centre hits.
For beginners and intermediate players, larger head sizes and more forgiving sweet spots are recommended, as they are lighter and easier to control. The Yonex ArcSaber 7 Play is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players, offering both power and control at a budget-friendly price. The Yonex Arcsaber 11 Play is another option for beginners and low-intermediate players.
For advanced doubles players, the Yonex Astrox series stands out as a high-performance option. The Astrox 88S Pro is tailored for frontcourt players seeking exceptional net control, while the Astrox 88D Pro caters to attacking-style backcourt doubles players. The Astrox 100ZZ racket is also a preferred choice for pro men's doubles players, delivering raw power and devastating smashes.
Other notable Japanese racket options for doubles play include the Yonex Nanoflare series, with the Nanoflare 800 Game and Nanoflare 800 Pro offering a balance of speed, control, and power. The Yonex Auraspeed 100X is another versatile choice for players moving between frontcourt and backcourt positions.
Japanese brands such as Yonex, Mizuno, and Gosen offer a range of rackets suitable for different playing styles and skill levels, making them a popular choice among badminton players worldwide.
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