The fastest projectile in sport is not what you think it is

Question: What is the fastest projectile in sport?

Answer: A shuttlecock.

No one will want to believe it. And, no, I don’t believe it either. But at a bar over the weekend, my smarty-pants buddy Kevin asked me that question and I guessed an IndyCar or a golf ball, or the WGN Radio newsroom heading down the hall when someone brings pizza, but NO.

It’s the badminton birdie. I’ll repeat that – it’s the badminton birdie.

According to engineering.com , the badminton birdie is the fastest object measured in sports. They offered up these stats: The top speed of 493 km/h (306 mph) is credited to Malaysian player Tan Boon Heong who reached that while testing out a new racket. Otherwise, in competitive play a Danish player Mads Pieler Kolding clocked a 426 km/h (265 mph).

Whoa.

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