While the corporate entity is Victor Rackets Industrial Corp., the brand’s origins are specifically rooted in badminton manufacturing rather than general sporting goods. Historical records indicate the company began with shuttlecock production prior to diversifying into other equipment categories.2

1968: Foundation

VICTOR was founded in Taipei in 1968 by Chen Den-Li, with initial operations centered exclusively on badminton shuttlecocks. Chen approached production from an engineering perspective, analyzing variables such as weight, dimensions, feather placement, and construction to develop standardized manufacturing processes. Within approximately two years, VICTOR had become the leading shuttlecock brand in Taiwan.3

This origin distinguishes VICTOR from many competitors; the brand established its reputation through shuttlecocks before entering the racket market.

1970s: 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 internal racket manufacturing capabilities. Exports began with Japan before extending to Europe and other regions, transforming the company from a domestic shuttlecock producer into a comprehensive badminton equipment manufacturer.3

1980s: Carbon-fiber technology and international growth

The 1980s marked a significant technological shift with the development of the COLUMBIA, VICTOR’s first all-carbon badminton racket. This innovation signaled a transition toward modern composite construction. During this decade, the company also introduced apparel, expanded European distribution, and began developing specialized footwear.34

These developments reinforced VICTOR’s identity as a badminton specialist rather than a general sportswear manufacturer.

In 1992, VICTOR established a major production center in Nanjing, China, alongside the launch of its first badminton footwear line.1 This facility enabled the company to scale manufacturing for international markets. While VICTOR is a Taiwanese-founded brand, its production operations have since expanded across multiple locations to support global demand.

VICTOR maintains extensive relationships with national teams, international organizations, and elite players, integrating professional competition into its core business strategy.

National teams and organizations

Significant team partnerships include:

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

Historical milestones in team sponsorships include official partnerships with the Korean national team beginning in 2009, the Malaysian national team in 2015, and Badminton Denmark in 2017.4 Additionally, VICTOR secured a six-year partnership with the French Badminton Federation covering 2025–2030; from 2027, the brand is scheduled to serve as title partner for the Super 750 level French Open.5

BWF collaborations

VICTOR served as the Official Equipment Partner of the BWF Team Championships from 2022 to 2025. In 2025, the company announced a renewal extending this role through the 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Denmark.3 These tournaments represent the premier international team competitions in badminton, underscoring VICTOR’s commitment to credibility through elite-level association.

Notable athletes

VICTOR sponsors numerous high-profile players whose technical styles align with the brand’s performance-oriented image.

Tai Tzu-ying

Tai Tzu-ying is among the most prominent athletes associated with VICTOR. Her precision-based playing style complements the brand’s emphasis on technical sophistication. VICTOR has released dedicated product lines for her, including the YINGcredible / Tai Tzu-ying Tribute Collection.3

Lee Zii-jia

Malaysian star Lee Zii-jia provides significant visibility for VICTOR in Southeast Asia. He was featured prominently in the brand’s 2022 international campaign.6

Other sponsored players

Additional elite athletes partnered with VICTOR include:

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

Badminton rackets

Rackets constitute the most visible segment of the modern VICTOR portfolio. Models are categorized by performance philosophy, including power, speed, control, handling, stability, and all-round play. Key series include:

• THRUSTER: Designed for attack and power, emphasizing power transmission, head stability, and shaft performance.3
• AURASPEED: Engineered for speed and fast handling, suited for players prioritizing rapid exchanges and maneuverability.
• DriveX: Focused on balanced handling and control.
• CROWN and special collections: Limited editions and player collaborations, including Tai Tzu-ying signature designs.

Racket technology

VICTOR emphasizes materials engineering in its racket development. Technologies incorporated into modern frames include:

• High-modulus graphite
• PYROFIL carbon fiber
• HARD CORED TECHNOLOGY
• Specialized shaft structures
• Anti-torsion systems
• Aerodynamic frame designs
• Metallic carbon-fiber constructions

PYROFIL is described as a Japanese high-performance carbon fiber that combines strength with light weight, while shaft technologies aim to enhance power transmission, stability, and handling.3 This technical focus reinforces VICTOR’s positioning as a performance brand rather than a lifestyle label.

Shuttlecocks

Shuttlecocks remain foundational to VICTOR’s heritage. The brand continues to manufacture feather shuttlecocks for competition use. The MASTER NO.1 model, featuring a full-cork head and goose feathers, is approved by the BWF for international play.3

Badminton shoes

Footwear development addresses the specific biomechanics of badminton, including lateral movement, rapid stopping, explosive acceleration, jumping, rotational stability, and impact absorption. Technologies such as ENERGYMAX, carbon-fiber support structures, specialized lasts, and wear-resistant materials distinguish VICTOR shoes from general athletic footwear.3

Strings

VICTOR produces badminton strings categorized by control, resilience, and durability. Different models alter impact feel, shuttle retention, repulsion, and longevity, allowing players to customize racket performance.7

Apparel, bags, and accessories

The product ecosystem extends to tournament jerseys, training apparel, shorts, socks, backpacks, racket bags, grips, stringing equipment, and other accessories. Recent catalogs have also included collaboration collections featuring Dragon Ball Z, Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan, and Peanuts, reflecting an expansion into lifestyle and fan-oriented merchandise alongside traditional performance gear.8

VICTOR’s corporate philosophy centers on badminton specialization, technological development, and continuous improvement. Founder Chen Den-Li emphasized innovation throughout his tenure, famously describing the 16 feathers of a shuttlecock as symbolic of badminton players’ dreams.1

Chen Den-Li led the company for over five decades before stepping down as chairman at the end of 2019. He passed away on January 4, 2024, at the age of 89. VICTOR has commemorated his life as deeply intertwined with the development and promotion of badminton globally.9

VICTOR is recognized as one of the major global specialist badminton brands, alongside Yonex (Japan), Li-Ning (China), Mizuno (Japan), and Babolat (France). Unlike diversified sports conglomerates, VICTOR has built its international identity almost entirely around badminton. Consequently, product development, sponsorship strategies, and marketing efforts remain heavily concentrated on serving badminton athletes.

Distinctive characteristics of the brand include:

• Shuttlecock origins: An unusual history compared to brands that began with apparel or tennis equipment.
• Professional integration: Central reliance on national teams, elite players, and BWF events.
• Engineering focus: Significant investment in carbon fiber, aerodynamics, and footwear technology.
• Global reach with Asian roots: Strong markets across Asia and Europe despite Taiwanese origins.
• Comprehensive ecosystem: Coverage of the entire equipment chain from rackets and strings to shoes, shuttlecocks, apparel, and accessories.

VICTOR enjoys particularly strong visibility in Malaysia, where badminton is a dominant sport. The company became the official partner and equipment supplier of the Malaysian national badminton team in 2015.4 Combined with high-profile athletes like Lee Zii-jia, this relationship has made VICTOR a highly recognizable brand in the Malaysian market, closely associated with the country’s professional badminton scene rather than perceived solely as an imported Taiwanese label.

• 1968: VICTOR founded in Taipei; begins shuttlecock production.
• 1970: Becomes Taiwan’s leading shuttlecock brand.
• 1970s: Racket R&D and manufacturing commence; international distribution expands.
• 1980s: Carbon-fiber racket development; apparel introduced; international sponsorship grows.
• 1992: Nanjing production center established; first VICTOR badminton footwear launched.
• 2000s: International expansion accelerates; national-team and professional-player sponsorships increase.
• 2009: Official partnership with Korean national badminton team begins.
• 2015: Malaysian national team partnership established.
• 2017: Badminton Denmark partnership begins.
• 2022–2025: Serves as Official Equipment Partner of BWF Team Championships.
• 2024: Founder Chen Den-Li passes away; VICTOR announces French Badminton Federation partnership for 2025–2030.
• 2025–2026: Continued expansion of BWF and national-team partnerships; confirmed as Official Equipment Partner for the 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals.4

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