New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) - Redemption for Satwik-Chirag duo as they make history at World Badminton Championship.
Chirag Shetty, one half of India's celebrated men's doubles badminton pair, expressed a feeling of redemption after he and his partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy clinched the bronze medal at the World Badminton Championships in Paris. The triumph in the city where they previously faced the greatest setback of their career, being ousted at the Olympics, is a remarkable comeback for the duo.
Ranked world No. 9, Satwik and Chirag secured their spot on the podium with a commanding victory over Malaysia's Olympic medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the quarterfinals, marking their second World Championships medal. However, the duo fell short of becoming the first Indian men's doubles pair to enter the finals after losing to China's 11th seeds, Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi, in the semifinals.
"The win against Aaron is particularly special," Chirag told PTI. "More than the medal, it proved that with the right tactics, we can beat anyone. Our recent record against them wasn't good, especially from both the Olympics. Winning in straight games felt like redemption for last year's Olympic heartbreak in the same arena and on the same court."
The bronze places Satwik and Chirag among an elite group of Indian badminton players with multiple World Championships medals, joining the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. "Knowing we join Saina and Sindhu as the only Indians with multiple medals at the event is incredible, especially considering the challenges we've faced both on and off the court this year," Chirag commented.
Despite holding an 11-6 lead, the duo lost their semifinal match after a dramatic shift in momentum. Reflecting on the loss, Chirag noted, "In the deciding game, our opponents served well with effective flicks that kept us off balance. Perhaps we pressed a little too hard instead of waiting for the right shots."
The medal ensures India’s uninterrupted streak of World Championships podium finishes dating back to 2011. "Keeping our streak alive is a testament to our resilience," Chirag said. "Getting through tough draws and coming out with this outcome is special, and HS Prannoy also deserves mention for a near win against the world No. 2."
Looking forward, Chirag emphasized the importance of regaining peak fitness. "Our immediate goal is to achieve peak physical condition. From there, we aim to reach a tournament final and hopefully claim victory. This year's target includes making the season-ending World Tour Finals," he explained.
The journey hasn't been easy. Satwik battled back and elbow injuries post-Olympics, faced personal tragedy with his father's passing, and was sidelined due to chickenpox. Chirag also managed a recurring back injury. "This year has been trying, filled with challenges. We haven't been able to train at full capacity," Chirag admitted. "But we’re progressing slowly and steadily, aiming to break through and reach our best form soon."
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