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By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
At the Badminton World Championships in Paris, held at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle until Sunday, August 31, 2025, shuttles are soaring at supersonic speeds. Among the standout performers is Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, an Indian doubles player who holds the world record for the fastest smash: an astonishing 565 km/h. To put that into perspective, it’s faster than a Formula 1 car, a golf drive, or even the most powerful tennis serve, and nearly matches the TGV’s speed record of 574 km/h. While Rankireddy’s record was set in optimal conditions during a special event by Yonex, smashes regularly exceed 400 km/h in competitive matches, with players like France’s Toma Jr Popov among the hardest hitters. So, how do players manage to return these missile-like shuttles?
Mastering the Art of Defense
For Delphine Delrue, a French player who reached the mixed doubles quarterfinals, it’s all about experience and timing. “After twenty years of practice, you get used to seeing the smash come at you,” she explains. “It’s about finding the right timing in defense to counter it effectively. Repetition, match situations, and challenging scenarios help us improve.” To prepare for these high-speed smashes, players like Julien Maio, who competes in mixed doubles with Lea Palermo, incorporate specific drills. “We ‘eat’ smashes to practice defending them,” Maio says. “We might intentionally lob short so the opponent smashes as hard as possible, or we use multi-shuttle drills where the coach hits powerfully and advances to put us under intense pressure.”
Training for Speed and Control
World No. 7 Alex Lanier emphasizes the importance of drills that simulate high-pressure scenarios. “We recreate defensive situations, like two-against-one, to increase speed and reduce space,” he says. “This helps us get accustomed to the velocity. It’s not just about seeing the speed but controlling the shuttle’s return.” Unlike some sports that use virtual reality or light pods to enhance reflexes—techniques seen in Formula 1—French players like Maio, Delrue, and the Popov brothers stick to traditional methods. However, at France’s National Institute of Sport (Insep), a cutting-edge program developed over four years by neuroscientist Claire Calmels is revolutionizing training. Specializing in perceptual-cognitive training and visual perception, Calmels’ program focuses on how the brain processes information and makes decisions, enhancing not only smash reception but overall performance.
Cognitive Edge in High-Speed Play
One of Lanier’s exercises, described by a source close to him, involves watching a match video where the screen goes black during a smash, forcing him to predict the shuttle’s trajectory as quickly as possible. “Alex excels at this,” the source notes. Lanier himself explains, “It’s subtle, but it sharpens our vision. Those milliseconds of adaptation are crucial, especially when fatigue sets in. Even if we’re less strong physically or technically, seeing the shuttle a fraction earlier gives us an edge.” This cognitive training, combined with experience against faster opponents, helps players adapt to the blistering pace of modern badminton. “Playing against guys who hit harder trains your eye,” Lanier adds. “It’s about quick decision-making and accurate responses.”For spectators, the shuttle’s speed is almost imperceptible, a fleeting blur from racket to court. Yet, for these elite athletes, it’s a challenge they’ve trained their minds and bodies to conquer—one supersonic smash at a time.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.