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Why Is Shuttlecock The Fastest Object In Sports?
When you think of the fastest object in sports, you would probably think of a cricket ball or a golf ball right? But to everyone’s surprise, it’s the shuttlecock. Want to know why? Let’s find out.
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The Shuttlecock, also known as a birdie, is a small, lightweight object used in badminton. It might look delicate, but it holds an amazing record. It’s the fastest object in sports, as some smashes have sent shuttlecocks flying at speeds of over 500km/h.
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The fastest smash in badminton with a shuttlecock was recorded at 565km/h by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, which is much faster than other objects in sports like a tennis ball or a cricket ball. But why can this feathery delight move so fast? Let’s take a look.
Why Is Shuttlecock The Fastest Object In Sports?
The shuttlecock’s special shape is the key to its speed. It has an open cone made of 16 goose feathers attached to a rounded cork base. This design makes it extremely aerodynamic, and when hit, it stays stable in the air, no matter how it was struck.
A standard shuttlecock weighs only about 5 grams. Since it’s so light, when a player hits it with a racket, a lot of racket energy is transferred directly to the shuttlecock, delivering stunning smashes, which make it the fastest object in sports.
Professional badminton players also need to be credited for the shuttlecock being the fastest object in sports, as they have incredible arm strength, speed, and technique. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s record is a testament to one such skillfully hit smash that broke the world record.
5 Fastest Smashes In Badminton
Here is the list of the 5 fastest smashes in badminton that made the shuttlecock the fastest object in sports.
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (565km/h)
- Tan Boon Heong (493km/h)
- HS Prannoy (428km/h)
- Mads Pieler Kolding (426km/h)
- Lakshya Sen (420km/h)
Why Does Shuttlecock Slow Down So Fast?
Although the shuttlecock starts off extremely fast, its feathered design creates a lot of air resistance, causing it to slow down by about 30% every two meters. This makes the badminton rallies fast and exciting, with players needing lightning-quick reflexes to keep up.
The shuttlecock is the fastest object in sports because of its unique aerodynamic shape, light weight, and powerful technique of players.
Also Read: 565km/h And Rising: 4 Fastest Smashes In Badminton
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