PV Sindhu Breaks Record With Fastest Smash At China Open Despite Early Exit

PV Sindhu Creates History With Fastest Smash At 397.2 Kph During China Open, Registers Milestone Amid Struggles

Indian badminton icon PV Sindhu may not have clinched a title in the last seven months, but she delivered a headline-worthy performance at the 2025 China Open by setting a new record for the fastest smash in women’s singles. Sindhu stunned fans and opponents alike by recording a thunderous smash at 397.2 kilometers per hour, outpacing every other female contender in the tournament. Despite her early exit, this powerful moment stood out as a highlight in an otherwise challenging season for the double Olympic medallist.

Entering the China Open ranked World No. 15, Sindhu began with a convincing win over Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki. However, in the second round, she faced a fierce challenge from fellow Indian Unnati Hooda, whose speed and precision proved too much. The match ended with Sindhu on the losing side, marking her first defeat to an Indian rival in an international tournament in seven years. The last such loss came in the 2018 Commonwealth Games final, where she was bested by Saina Nehwal—a result she also experienced at the 2019 National Championships.

Although her campaign was cut short, Sindhu’s record-breaking smash was the talk of the tournament. It not only reaffirmed her raw power and shot-making ability but also put her above Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan, who recorded a smash of 388.8 kph, and Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, whose fastest was 368.2 kph. Interestingly, tournament winner Wang Zhiyi did not even feature in the top 10 for smash speeds, underscoring that sheer power isn’t always the winning strategy.

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Meanwhile, the men’s doubles scene saw Satwiksairaj Rankireddy bring his own brand of explosiveness to the court. Known for his incredible speed, Satwik registered a powerful 436.2 kph smash, though it fell short of his own world record of 565 kph. Partnering with Chirag Shetty, the Indian duo reached the semifinals, only to be stopped once again by their long-time Malaysian rivals Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

This latest clash marked the 14th showdown between the Indian and Malaysian duos, with Chia and Soh maintaining a dominant 10-3 head-to-head record. The match ended with a 13-21, 17-21 loss for the Indian pair, a result that highlighted how Chia and Soh continue to be a formidable barrier in their quest for global dominance.

In the broader context of smash speeds, South Korea’s Kim Won-ho leads the men’s doubles category with two ferocious smashes clocked at 461.6 and 455.6 kph, followed closely by Aaron Chia at 454.2 kph. Unfortunately, no Indian player made it to the list of top smashes in men’s singles, women’s doubles, or mixed doubles, pointing to areas where performance can be further enhanced.

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Despite the lack of tournament wins, PV Sindhu’s blistering smash at the China Open proves that she still possesses elite-level firepower. While her form may be inconsistent and her results have not lived up to her usual high standards, this record provides a timely boost and a reminder of what she is capable of when at her best. For Sindhu, it’s not just about titles but also about continuing to inspire, challenge the limits, and make history in every tournament she steps into.

With the Olympic qualifiers and major tournaments looming ahead, fans and analysts alike hope this remarkable feat can serve as a turning point in Sindhu’s 2025 campaign. As for now, her fastest smash stands as a powerful symbol—both literally and metaphorically—of her unyielding spirit on the court.

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