I just received my July/August 2008 issue of Men’s Health in the mail this morning. I flipped through it quickly as usual, but something caught my eye that made me do a double take. It was none another than 2005 World Badminton Double’s Champion Howard Bach, featured as one of ten Top American Olympic Athletes.

Now why would I be so excited to see Howard Bach in Men’s Health? It’s because Badminton rarely gets the mainstream media attention other sports do in the U.S. like Tennis, Basketball or even Golf. The average sports junkie probably thinks Badminton is just a fluffy backyard game played during picnics.

Real players know though, that Badminton is a serious sport. Birdies have been clocked at speeds of 200mph. That’s faster than a tennis serve and faster than a pitcher can throw a ball in baseball. Much faster. It’s a sport that requires extreme endurance, agility, strength and speed. Don’t believe me? Google a badminton gym in your neighborhood and play a game of singles with the local pro. He’ll have you fumbling around like an idiot, and exhausted in no time.