World's Fastest Drummer

"[4] After experimenting with various WFD competition formats in the Southern United States, the event achieved international prominence when respected studio and clinic drummer Johnny Rabb became the first person to break 1,000 single strokes in 60 seconds, claiming the title World's Fastest Hands and recognition from the record keepers at Guinness.

In 2002, WFD world championships became a biannual affair (winter and summer), and they were permanently stationed at the annual NAMM Show convention beginning in 2003.

Acquired in 2002 was the WFD's most recognizable competitor when Dream Theater drummer and former Berklee College of Music professor Mike Mangini joined its ranks.

[7] With the retirements of Rabb and others from active competition, the sport continued to witness runs by: New Jersey website personality and Joe Morello student "Tiger" Bill Meligari; Seth Davis, 1000+ single stroker, double stroke world record holder, and WFD host; Sam Lecompte, single paradiddle world record holder; 2003 Summer winner Eric Okamoto.

After an extended hiatus, WFD Championships returned to NAMM conventions in July 2011 with Australian Joey Moujalli and American Kevin Bernardy taking hands and feet titles respectively.

In July 2007 in Austin, Texas, WFD hands champion Thomas Grosset (age 16) performed 1156 single strokes in 1 minute matched grip, the highest score ever recorded in the final championship round.

In June 2008, Smith returned to break Mangini's traditional grip record of 1126, with a score of 1132, leaving the sport almost entirely in the hands of younger competitors.

Since the competition's inception, drummers were divided into positive and negative camps, with this phenomenon rapidly accelerating as Mangini, Rabb, Verdi, and Afanador especially surfaced on television programs and commercials, with opposing sides simultaneously battling in internet drum forums, magazines, and YouTube comments sections.

[10] Another controversy centered around the implementation of a hand technique called "push-pull" that allowed competitors to score more than one beat with a single motion but was neither a double stroke nor buzz roll.

Guitar Center told me they wouldn’t even talk to me unless I filed ‘formal proceedings.’ So that's what we did.”[needs context] “Boo’s experience is common these days,” patent attorney Anthony Dowell explained.