To some, speed is everything. And some of us just like to see who’s the fastest. These competitive sports are known for their speed. So if that’s your style, you’re in the right place. Can you guess the winner?
#10 – 100m sprint
The extent of human speed is performed in a sprint. It’s an accessible sport with many variations in distance. It is theorized that humans can reach 64km/h (40mph) max in the Journal of Applied Physiology, which easily beats Usain Bolt’s 45km/h (28mph) record.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_metres
#9 – Hockey
Hockey has the fastest tempo in team sports. Endurance, agility, and speed (up to 32 km/h (20 mph)!) is the definition of this sport. And the pucks can reach speeds at 160km/h (100mph). Great for people who don’t like a lot downtime ie: American football, or baseball.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey
#8 – Lacrosse
If you love hockey but prefer not to skate, lacrosse is the solution. Lacrosse is the fastest tempo sport on two feet, where checking and stick contact is common. Endurance is essential when you consistently react and move at top speed with balls reaching 190km/h (115mph).
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacrosse
#7 – BASE jumping
Base jumping is similar to skydiving, but involves jumping off high-altitude bases, like a mountain. The speed can reach 225km/h (140mph), with the danger of colliding with an array of objects. It’s both fast and dangerous.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASE_jumping
#6 – Pelota
This 300 year old Basque sport has the fastest serve recorded at 302km/h (188mph), and has the most lethal ball. It is played with a curved hand racket on a square court. It’s a fun sport that can also be played solo, against a wall.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_pelota
#5 – Badminton
Badminton is one of the world’s fastest sports, requiring perfected accuracy and reaction time. The ball can move up to 321km/h (200mph) with only a few meters in between the competitor.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badminton
#4 – Formula 1
Formula 1 is about the power of acceleration and making split second decisions on a curvy, winding road. Corners are taken at 290kmh (180mph) with the fastest record being 372kmh (230mph).
Formula 1 isn’t running a circular track; it’s an exciting maze-like race. Everyone should see a F1 race at least once in their lifetime.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One
#3 – Skydiving/Wingsuit
Skydiving (and wingsuit) is often overlooked. However, it is considered an extreme sport, with the average fall speed of 290km/h (180mph) at 12,000 altitude, which is nothing when you learn some skydivers jump without a parachute at 25,000 feet. Fastest speed reached is 396kmh (246mph)!
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingsuit_flying
#2 – Speed skiing
If you love skiing and speed, speed skiing is the fastest way down the slopes. With more than 400kmh (250mph), taking a slope becomes a whole new experience.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_skiing
#1 – Drag racing
Unlike Formula 1, drag racing is all about powerful acceleration to reach a top speed as quickly and smoothly as possible. World record
is 539kmh (335mph)! Drag racing is more complex than it looks on the surface.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_racing
And, let’s not forget…
…baseball (153km/h), downhill skiing (130km/h), frisbee (130km/h), soccer (130km/h), downhill mountain biking (80km/h), and a wide selection of motorsports.
