Following our blog published recently on ways to check the authenticity of Yonex rackets, we’ve had people coming to our shop to check on their Yonex rackets 😉 

Read here How to know if your Yonex Badminton Rackets are Authentic

And it’s interesting because people start to be aware of their role to ensure that they buy the genuine product at a genuine price. Just yesterday, we had a client who brought in his racket for stringing and that it is a fake one.

Yonex Z Force II
Here’s a real case of what a fake racket looks like compared to a genuine racket. Enjoy the post!

1. Hologram Sticker

TOP: Genuine. BOTTOM: Fake
We can easily spot this when compared apple to apple because original hologram tends to be more “mysterious” with its content are quite hidden and darker in color. Fake hologram is seen to be more shiny and visible.

2) Unique Serial Number

TOP: Genuine. BOTTOM: Fake
With technology in place, serial numbers on fake rackets can be made so similarly because it is also being engraved on both shaft and support cap, so we can’t find any clear difference. Guess they have invested some money on this to close the gap. However, what we found is the serial number carrying number ending with ‘JP’ (it is covered by the grip, we tried to lift it and managed to peek inside.) It says 170828JP. All original Yonex rackets that are sold in Malaysia come from Sunrise Sports Sdn Bhd and that it should carry SP instead of JP.

3) Bottom Cap’s Color

TOP: Genuine. BOTTOM: Fake
Mild difference between the 2 green shades but the font used in ‘JAPAN’ clearly shows the difference. 

4) Distribution code

TOP: Genuine. BOTTOM: Fake
A genuine Yonex racket especially rackets Made in Japan MUST have its distribution codes printed as SP which is Sunrise Sports’s distribution code. In this case, the fake racket has no distribution code.

However, note that there are in fact some models of genuine Yonex rackets made in Taiwan and China that come under the same distributor do not have the SP distribution code printed and it is alright. Some of the these models are Yonex Voltric Durable Grade (1DG, 2DG, 7DG, 10DG, Duora 88, iSeries etc).

5) Zig Zag Grommets

TOP: Genuine. BOTTOM: Fake
This checking requires some detail-oriented person to notice it. The arrangement of grommet holes on the frame of a genuine Yonex racket are designed and made to be in zig zag placement. We don’t see it on the counterfeit racket.

6) Grommets

Top: Genuine Yonex racket

Top: Fake Yonex racket
And finally, the last thing that we observed is the quality of  Yonex racket’s grommets. Originals are snugged fitly into the grommet holes and look sturdy. The difference is quite apparent here.

In a nutshell
Counterfeit items are unauthorized replicas of the original and are being treated and sometimes sold at the original item’s price. This is not acceptable as the fakes are taking advantage of the value of something worth more.

Because of this we support Yonex and all other original brand manufacturers as we are authorized dealer for Yonex, Victor, Apacs, Fleet, Flex Power, Molten, Butterfly and we sell 100% genuine products.

We’ll keep posting new articles pertaining this issue, so keep following us!