How Fast Is Badminton Shuttlecock?

A badminton shuttlecock smash hits 137 m/s — 493 km/h, the fastest projectile in any racket sport. The feathers slow it almost immediately due to enormous drag — by the time it reaches the opponent it has decelerated to less than 50 m/s.

Badminton is the world's second most-popular participation sport after football — the BWF (Badminton World Federation) has 196 member nations, more than the IOC.

• Faster than any F1 car
• Decelerates 60% before reaching the opponent