After he scores with one powerful smash, the other team comes back with their own smash on the next point. So faster than the speed of a NASCAR.”Īs Bach plays the practice match, his team and the other team are neck and neck. “You know how fast NASCAR travels right?" Bach asks. The smash is the most powerful and explosive shot in badminton. "Clear, drop, drive, net spin, and smash.” “There are five basic shots in the badminton," Bach tells me. You use the racket to hit the birdie - which is shaped like a cone and covered with feathers. The racket looks similar to the one used in tennis, but with a smaller racket-face and a longer shaft. "So whoever wins a rally will score, and you play up to 21 points.” With a group of friends, Bach is playing a practice game of doubles. “My name is Howard Bach and I’m a three-time Olympian for the sport of badminton.” Over 20 different national flags are pinned along a wall, and in the center is a white banner bearing the iconic Olympic rings and three red letters: “U.S.A.” Playing a game of doubles on one of the courts is someone who has proudly represented this flag over the past 12 years. The Synergy badminton club in Menlo Park is huge - big enough to fit over 10 badminton courts, each with glistening, green floors and bright, white lines. ![]() But one local athlete tried in 2004, 20 to win for team U.S.A. ![]() hasn’t won a single badminton medal since it became an official Olympic sport in 1992. But one sport may be overlooked by many Americans: Badminton. sports fans are getting treated to lots of coverage of summer sports like basketball, swimming, and gymnastics. With the Olympics taking place right now, U.S. This piece was produced Gabriel Chen, one of our high school student summer interns.
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