Smash hit: Lee Chong Wei credited with fastest badminton shot at Hong Kong event
Malaysian tops the list for most powerful smash after data is provided by Hawk-Eye technology
Shuttler Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia has recorded the fastest smash in the men’s singles competition since September last year when the current world number two topped the list with a 408km/h missile at the 2015 Hong Kong Open, which he won at the Coliseum in Hung Hom.
The smash speeds, according to the Badminton World Federation, were recorded by Hawk-Eye Innovations, which provides instant-review services at major events since September last year and revealed on Wednesday.
The data shows that, while the men routinely smash over 390km/h, the women aren’t too far behind.
Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, the 2013 world champion, delivered the fastest blow, clocking 372km/h in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open this year.
Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen came close to Lee’s pile-driver with a 407km/h hit in the semi-finals of the same Malaysia tournament.
Five-time world champion Lin Dan recorded a 401km/h smash in the 2015 Japan Open, which he went on to win.
In 2005, the fastest recorded smash in the notoriously rapid sport was attributed to Fu Haifeng of China whose effort clocked in at 331km/h.
The top five speeds
Men’s Singles
Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) 408km/h (Hong Kong Open 2015)
Jan O Jorgensen (Denmark) 407km/h (Malaysia Open 2016)
Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) 404km/h (Japan Open 2015)
Parupalli Kashyap (India) 401km/h (Japan Open 2015)
Lin Dan (China) 401km/h (Japan Open 2015)
Women’s Singles
Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand) 372km/h (Malaysia Open 2016)
Tai Tzu Ying (Taiwan) 360km/h (All England 2016)
Wang Yihan (China) 359km/h (Malaysia Open 2016)
Saina Nehwal (India) 357km/h (All England 2016)
Carolina Marin (Spain) 356km/h (All England 2016)