
Badminton is a racquet sport that involves hitting a shuttlecock back and forth over a net. The fastest smash of a shuttlecock, recorded by a male, is held by Indian badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy at 565 km/hr. The female record holder is Tan Pearly from Malaysia, who achieved a speed of 438 km/hr. These records showcase the speed and power that badminton players can generate with their racquets, and the sport routinely produces faster shots than other racquet sports such as tennis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Men's Record Holder | Satwiksairaj Rankireddy |
| Men's Record Speed | 565 km/h |
| Women's Record Holder | Tan Pearly |
| Women's Record Speed | 438 km/h |
| Date of Record | 14 April 2023 |
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What You'll Learn

Male record holder: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Indian badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, popularly known as Satwik, holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest smash by a male player. He achieved a speed of 565 km/h (approximately 351 mph) during his record-breaking attempt. This speed exceeded the previous record of 493 km/h, held by Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong since 2013, by a significant margin of 72 km/h.
Rankireddy's record-breaking smash was conducted in a controlled environment at the Yonex factory gymnasium in Soka, Saitama, Japan, on April 14, 2023. The speed measurement was verified by official judges from the Guinness World Records, who used high-speed cameras to capture the moment of impact and calculate the instant velocity of the shuttlecock.
Rankireddy's smash was not only a Guinness World Record but also a remarkable feat of athletic prowess. To put his achievement into perspective, the top speed of a Formula 1 car is approximately 372.6 km/h, while the fastest tennis serve maxes out at around 263 km/h. His smash speed greatly exceeded these and showcased the power and precision involved in badminton at the highest level.
Rankireddy's record has brought immense pride to India and has inspired a new generation of badminton players. His achievement has also highlighted the advancements in badminton technique and technology, pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in the sport. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy's name will forever be etched in the history of badminton as the holder of one of the most prestigious records in the sport.
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Female record holder: Tan Pearly
Malaysian badminton player Tan Pearly is a record-breaker. In April 2023, she set a new world record for the fastest female badminton smash at 438 kilometres per hour. This feat was achieved at the Yonex Tokyo Factory gymnasium in Soka, Saitama, Japan. Tan is the first-ever holder of this world record and the first Malaysian women's doubles player to advance to the Olympic semi-finals.
Tan's record-breaking smash was not her only claim to fame. In May, she and her partner, Muralitharan, won all of their games at the Sudirman Cup and secured second place at the Malaysia Masters. They also placed second at the World Championships, falling to sixth seeds Zhang Shuxian and Zheng Yu in the quarter-finals. In September, they continued their winning streak, achieving second place at the Hong Kong Open. Tan and Muralitharan's success extended beyond the court, as they became the first Malaysian women's doubles pair to reach the semi-finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a historic moment for their country.
Tan's achievements at the Korea Open further solidified her reputation as a formidable player. She cleared the opening round with M. Thinaah, setting a Guinness World Record for the fastest female badminton smash at 438 km/h. This record-breaking smash propelled her into the spotlight, and she went on to win her first-round match in Yeosu with Thinaah, defeating the Japanese pair Rui Hirokami-Yuna Kato 21-17, 15-21, 21-15. Ranked 13th in the world, Tan faced tough competition from the top seeds, China's Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan, ultimately falling to them in the semi-finals.
Tan Pearly's record-breaking smash at 438 km/h has etched her name in badminton history. Her achievements, alongside her partner Muralitharan, have brought her international recognition and contributed to the success of Malaysian badminton on the world stage. Tan's talent, dedication, and perseverance have undoubtedly inspired aspiring athletes and paved the way for future champions.
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Fastest racquet sport
When it comes to racquet sports, badminton stands out as the fastest. The speed of a badminton smash far exceeds that of any other racquet sport, and even surpasses the speeds recorded in Formula One racing.
The current world record for the fastest badminton smash by a male player is held by Indian badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who achieved a staggering speed of 565 kilometres per hour (km/h). This remarkable feat, verified by official Guinness World Records judges, showcases the incredible power and skill that can be achieved in badminton.
On the other hand, the female record holder for the fastest badminton smash is Malaysia's Tan Pearly, also known as Pealy Tan. She smashed the shuttlecock at an astonishing 438 km/h (equivalent to 272.16 miles per hour or mph). Tan Pearly's record-breaking smash took place in a gymnasium at the Yonex Co., Ltd. Tokyo Factory in Soka, Saitama, Japan, on April 14, 2023.
It is worth noting that prior to these recent records, Malaysia's Tan Boon Heong and Denmark's Mads Pieler Kolding were already pushing the boundaries of speed in badminton. In 2013, Tan Boon Heong set a new world record with a smash speed of 306.3 mph (493 km/h), while Mads Pieler Kolding achieved the fastest smash in an actual competition at 264.7 mph (426 km/h) during the 2017 Premier League in India.
The speed at which badminton shuttlecocks are struck showcases the exceptional talent and training of these athletes, as well as the advanced technology in badminton racquets. The Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed racquet, for example, is designed with a slightly elongated stem, a reduced head size, and a subtle flex in the frame, enabling players to slice through the air with unprecedented speed and precision.
With these record-breaking speeds, badminton solidifies its reputation as the fastest racquet sport in the world.
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Record-breaking equipment
The record for the fastest badminton smash is held by Indian player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who achieved a speed of 565 km/h (approximately 351 mph) on 14 April 2023. This remarkable feat was officially verified by Guinness World Records judges, who used high-speed cameras to capture the moment of impact and calculate the velocity of the shuttlecock. Malaysia's Tan Pearly holds the women's record, with a speed of 438 km/h (272.16 mph) achieved on the same day.
To put these speeds into perspective, consider that badminton smashes routinely exceed the world record for tennis serve speed, which stands at 163.7 mph (263.4 km/h). In fact, no racquet sport can match the blistering pace of a badminton smash. The unique design of badminton equipment plays a crucial role in achieving these record-breaking speeds.
The choice of racquet is paramount, and Yonex, the world's leading manufacturer of badminton racquets, has been at the forefront of breaking speed records. In 2013, Yonex developed the Nanoray Z-Speed badminton racket, which played a pivotal role in Tan Boon Heong setting a new world record. The Nanoray Z-Speed is engineered to slice through the air faster than traditional racquets through several innovative design features. Firstly, they elongated the stem, reducing air resistance and allowing for quicker swing speeds. Secondly, they reduced the head size, which minimizes air drag and provides greater maneuverability. Lastly, they introduced a subtle flex in the frame, enabling the player to impart more power and speed to the shuttlecock.
The shuttlecock itself is another critical component. Unlike a solid ball used in sports like tennis or squash, the shuttlecock is a feathered or synthetic projectile with a rounded head and a conical skirt. This design enables the shuttlecock to cut through the air with minimal resistance, contributing to its incredible speed. The feathers or synthetic material create lift, ensuring the shuttlecock stays airborne longer, allowing for faster and more dynamic rallies. Additionally, the choice of string tension in the racquet can impact the speed. Higher string tensions tend to result in faster shots as the shuttlecock rebounds off the strings with greater velocity.
Through a combination of advanced racquet technology, skilled players, and the unique characteristics of the shuttlecock, badminton has firmly established itself as the fastest racquet sport in the world, with records that even surpass those of Formula One racing. The equipment plays a pivotal role in achieving these remarkable speeds, showcasing the intersection of sports and technology in breaking world records.
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Previous records
In the summer of 2013, Tan Boon Heong and Lee Chong Wei, both from Malaysia, attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest badminton smash. Using the Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed badminton racket, they aimed to surpass Heung's previous record of 261.6 mph (421 kmph). Lee achieved a smash speed of 283.3 mph (456 kmph), while Tan Boon Heong set a new world record at 306.3 mph (493 kmph). This record stood until Denmark's Mads Pieler Kolding recorded a smash speed of 264.7 mph (426 kmph) during a competitive match in India's 2017 Premier League.
On April 14, 2023, Indian badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest badminton smash at 565 kmph. The previous female record of 438 km/h (272.16 mph) was achieved by Malaysia's Tan Pearly on the same day. Tan Pearly's record-breaking smash occurred at a gymnasium at the Yonex Co., Ltd. Tokyo Factory in Soka, Saitama, Japan.
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Frequently asked questions
The record for the fastest badminton smash by a male is held by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy at 565 km/h.
The female record for the fastest badminton smash is held by Tan Pearly at 438 km/h.
Both records were set on April 14, 2023, and were verified by official judges from the Guinness World Records.
The moments of impact during the smash were captured using a high-speed camera, and the instant velocity of the shuttlecock was calculated from the photographic recording.










































