Kumpoo brand profile: how the 'fourth major badminton brand' built a credible flagship line
Founded in Japan in 2000, Kumpoo built its name on full-stack vertical integration — and is now positioning itself as the fourth major brand alongside Yonex, Victor, and Li-Ning.
Overview
In badminton equipment, Yonex, Li-Ning, and Victor have long sat in the top tier. Kumpoo has risen quickly with full-chain in-house R&D, a high-value product matrix, and a youth-focused strategy, gradually becoming a strong challenger for a “fourth major brand.” The brand has evolved from a Japanese startup into an independent Chinese sports brand, reshaping the global industry with both technology and market momentum. This write-up offers a brief, product-focused look at a brand many players are still forming opinions about.
Origins and turning points
Kumpoo’s story began in 2000, when Japanese founders Omori Yuji and Sato Mitsuru saw badminton’s global spread and decided to build a specialist brand. In May 2001 it was named Kumpoo—evoking a warm southern wind—with the English name KUMPOO. In June that year Kumpoo Japan was founded. From the start, innovation was the anchor. It entered China in 2006, opened its own shoe factory in 2008 to end OEM dependence, and created the Hexagon six-sided cone shaft to reduce torsion—laying a technical foundation and the path toward full in-house development. 2009 was a turning point: Guangzhou Subo Sports acquired Kumpoo Japan, moving core operations and R&D to China and turning it into a Chinese independent sports brand. In the decade-plus since, “full-chain self-R&D” has been the core strategy, building a rare complete chain: shoe factory in 2008, racket factory in 2022, and a high-end Japanese string base in 2025—full control from raw materials to finished rackets, shoes, and strings. Some call it “badminton’s BYD.” With that accumulation, Kumpoo holds 80+ patents and has broken international brands’ grip on high-end tech. At the 2025 Xiamen Sudirman Cup it appeared for the first time in the core exhibition area as a “global fourth major badminton brand,” alongside the big three. Products export to Germany, Italy, Korea, and more, and it is official gear for national teams including Finland, Japan, and Poland.
Product matrix
Kumpoo covers entry, mid-range, and flagship tiers, balancing performance and affordability. I still remembers a ~300 yuan 5U frame with 30 lb warranty from high school nearly ten years ago—a model forgotten by name but likely a classic if it survived. Rackets: the entry K520PRO series has sold over three million units and is a beginner favourite. Mid-range Guolun II and Houyi II balance control and value. The flagship Shura series—used by Lin Dan Cup triple champion Zhan Junwei—uses M50 high-modulus carbon and a solid shaft, with performance close to the big three’s flagships at roughly 30–40% of the price. Kumpoo also launched an industry-first 3D-printed titanium alloy racket, breaking traditional process limits. Shoes: focus on cushioning, grip, and lightweight design. Houyi and Guolun series suit hard on-court play; long-term wearers report support and durability recognised by pros on the international circuit. For the Greater Bay Games, Kumpoo released a Yangcheng limited edition blending trend design with on-court performance. Strings and accessories: the 2025 Japan-made JS series uses an in-house ultra-fibre composite coating for durability and elasticity, with strong reviews—JS63 already serves as a staple string for me. JS57S is among the thinnest strings in the world and marks a technical catch-up in high-end stringing. Apparel, shuttles, stringing machines, and other accessories round out one-stop buying.
Brand strategy
Kumpoo positions itself as a “professional national brand” on a “tech for all plus trend-breaking” path. Pricing follows “flagship performance, fair price”—top models cost about one third to one half of comparable big-brand gear. The GH805 shoe targets Yonex Power Cushion 65Z4, challenging the idea that high-end gear must be expensive and serving students and amateurs as core users. Ambassadors include international pros such as Liew Daren, Tian Houwei, and Wang Gaolun, while also working with influencers and entertainment stars to connect pro and mass circles. Sponsorship spans the Sudirman Cup and Macau Open to youth amateur tournaments, building a pro-plus-amateur matrix, and releases city and culture collabs that pull local culture into gear design for younger buyers.
Outlook
Today, with full-chain tech in place, Kumpoo’s place as a fourth major looks secure. Looking ahead, it aims at tech innovation, global expansion, and ecosystem building to become a top global badminton brand—breaking high-end racket and string bottlenecks and closing the gap with the leaders while strengthening the “Made in China” label abroad. From a Japanese seed to a Chinese rise, from OEM dependence to full self-R&D, Kumpoo’s challenge spirit has shaken the old order. As technology and brand power keep growing, it may close further on the leaders and show stronger Chinese presence on the world stage.