 The Thomas Cup story began in England nearly 70 years ago when an English nobleman, having himself derived much pleasure from Badminton, decided to leave something for posterity.
That man was the wealthy baronet of Yapton,Sir George Alan Thomas, after whom the cup is named. A leading player of the English Badminton scene for more than two decades, Sir George had between 1903 and 1927 won an impressive record number of All-England championships, including the singles titles for four successive years.
|
Sir George has envisaged a world cup championship for Badminton similar to that for football, instituted in 1930. His idea was well received by the International Badminton Federation, IBF.
In 1939, Sir George presented to the IBF the handsome Cup, a shinning 28 inch gold-plated trophy hammered in silver. Engraved on the front of the Cup are the words, 'The International Badminton Championship Cup presented to the International Badminton Federation by Sir George Thomas, Bart., 1939'.
Due to world war two, it was not until 1948 that the first contest for the Thomas Cup could be launched. Initially, The Thomas Cup was played every three years. Since 1982, the Tournament has been every two years with a format of 3 singles and 2 doubles. Here is a list of past Thomas Cup winners:
Year Champion
1949 Malaya
1952 Malaya
1955 Malaya
1958 Indonesia
1961 Indonesia
1964 Indonesia
1967 Malaysia
1970 Indonesia
1973 Indonesia
1976 Indonesia
1979 Indonesia
1982 China
1984 Indonesia
1986 China
1988 China
1990 China
1992 Malaysia
1994 Indonesia
1996 Indonesia
1998 Indonesia
2000 Indonesia
2002 Indonesia
2004 China
|
|
|
