Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro B (TK-Ryuga II Pro B) review

Full review

Victor is one of Yonex's main rivals, and the Thruster Ryuga is its signature attacking line. The Ryuga II Pro, which Victor labels as new for 2024, is the top model of the second generation, and it is unapologetically built for players who win points by smashing.

The frame is head heavy and, as retailers list it, stiff. Victor uses a box-shaped frame for stability and a slim 6.6 mm shaft to reduce air drag, and its WES 2.0 carbon layering is designed to add whip to the shaft for a steeper downward angle. A Free Core handle and Japanese Pyrofil carbon in the shaft are there to soften the feel slightly and help control.

It can be strung tighter than most racquets here, up to 32 lbs in the 3U version, which suits hard hitters who want maximum control. That same combination of stiffness, weight and tension is exactly why it is not a club-level racquet: with a slower swing, the shuttle will feel dead and your arm will work harder.

For strong singles players and the back-court partner in a competitive doubles pair, it is a genuine alternative to Yonex's Astrox 99 Pro or 100ZZ. Everyone else will get more from a medium-flex frame like the Astrox 99 Game.