Badminton

The exclusion of badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games curriculum has sparked outrage among the badminton community, with former world No.1 doubles shuttler Chirag Shetty calling it a "very bad decision."Shetty, who is the reigning Commonwealth Games men's doubles champion and mixed team gold medalist, questioned how the organizers could remove the most popular sport from the event."I think it's a very bad decision, to be honest. I can say for badminton, I think it's the most watched sport. It's definitely one of the most watched sports in the Commonwealth Games," Shetty said.He pointed out that badminton competitions at the Commonwealth Games are always played in front of packed houses, indicating the sport's immense popularity."I've been part of two editions at the Gold Coast and at the Birmingham editions. It's very difficult to get a seat for any of the rounds. I think it's definitely a very bad decision for the badminton community in general," Shetty added.The World Championship bronze medalist urged the Commonwealth Games organizers to reconsider their decision and reinstate badminton in the curriculum."I hope they (CWG organizers) will look into it and probably change it. As a part of the badminton community, we are disappointed. We were definitely looking forward to defend our title," Shetty said.He also called on the national sports federations and the government to take up the issue with the highest authorities in the Commonwealth Games."As far as boycotting the event goes, I think it's in the hand of the government and associations to decide. I think it has to go at the highest place. I think the higher bodies have to be decisive and take it up to the higher authorities," Shetty said.The exclusion of badminton from the Commonwealth Games is a major blow to India's medal prospects, as the country has consistently performed well in the sport. In the 2022 Birmingham Games, India won two gold medals in badminton, including the men's doubles title won by Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

Indian badminton star Chirag Shetty, one-half of the renowned men's doubles duo 'Sat-Chi' with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has opened up about their disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite a strong start in the knockout stage, Satwik and Chirag's Olympic medal hopes were dashed with a 21-13, 14-21, 16-21 loss.Speaking to ANI, Shetty expressed his disappointment over the quarterfinal exit, attributing it to "unlucky points and missed opportunities" in the third game. However, he remains optimistic about the duo's future prospects, stating, "We really wanted to go out there and win a medal for our country. Things did not go our way in the third game, but we gave it our all. Maybe next time around we will come with a medal."Shetty also revealed that he and Satwiksairaj are eager to return to action next month, with the latter currently undergoing rehabilitation for an injury. He praised their former coach, Mathias Boe, for his significant contributions to their success, saying, "When we started working with him, we were ranked eighth or ninth in the world. The journey from there to the number one spot, winning Asian Games gold, Thomas Cup, was a very fruitful journey."Under Boe's guidance, 'Sat-Chi' became a dominant force in badminton, securing multiple BWF titles, gold medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, the maiden Thomas Cup title, bronze at the World Championships, and gold at the Asian Championships. They also became the first Indian men's pair to achieve the top spot in BWF Rankings and secure a BWF Super 1000 title by winning the Indonesia Open last year.Despite the setback at the Olympics, Shetty and Satwiksairaj remain determined to achieve their Olympic dream. They are currently working hard to improve their game and are confident of making a strong comeback.

Mathias Boe, the esteemed coach of Indian badminton stars Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has announced his retirement from coaching following the pair's exit from the Paris Olympics. The decision comes after Satwik and Chirag's heartbreaking loss to Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the men's doubles quarterfinals.Boe, a silver medalist at the London Olympics, joined Chirag and Satwik as their coach ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian duo were considered strong contenders for a medal in Paris, but their hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Boe expressed his disappointment but also his pride in his players' efforts. "For me, my coaching days end here," he wrote. "I'm not going to continue in India or anywhere else, for now at least. I have spent too much time in a badminton hall and it's also pretty stressful to be a coach. I'm a tired old man."Boe acknowledged the pain of defeat, having experienced it himself as an athlete. "I know the feeling all too well myself. Pushing yourself to the limit every day, to be in the best shape of your life, and then things don't go as you would have hoped for," he said. "I know you guys are gutted, I know how much you wanted to bring a medal back to India, but this time it wasn't meant to be."Despite the setback, Boe praised his players' dedication and passion. "You have everything to be proud of, how hard you have worked in this Olympics camp, battling injuries, even taken injections to reduce the pain," he wrote. "That is dedication, that is passion, and that is a lot of heart."Boe's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian badminton. Under his guidance, Chirag and Satwik emerged as one of the top doubles pairs in the world. Their success has inspired a new generation of Indian badminton players and raised the profile of the sport in the country.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's Olympic dream was shattered in the men's doubles quarterfinals at the Paris Games on Thursday. The duo, who were among the favorites for the gold medal, fell to Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in a thrilling three-set encounter.Satwik and Chirag, the reigning Asian Games champions and Commonwealth Games winners, started the match strongly, taking the first game 21-13. However, the Malaysian pair, who are the 2022 world champions and Tokyo Games bronze medalists, fought back to win the second game 21-14.The third game was a closely contested affair, with both pairs trading blows. However, Aaron and Chia eventually prevailed 21-16, ending Satwik and Chirag's hopes of an Olympic medal.The Indian duo had been in impressive form leading up to the Olympics, winning the Asian Games title in 2022 and the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2023. They were also ranked among the top three pairs in the world.Despite their disappointing exit, Satwik and Chirag have established themselves as one of the most promising badminton pairs in the world. They will be hoping to bounce back from this setback and continue their quest for Olympic glory in the future.

The Indian men's doubles badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are aiming to continue their winning streak at the Paris Olympics, despite a setback in their second Group C match. The match against Germany's Marvin Seidel and Mark Lamsfuss was canceled due to Lamsfuss's knee injury, making their third game a must-win.Satwiksairaj and Chirag began their Olympic campaign with a 21-17, 21-14 victory over France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. They were scheduled to face Seidel and Lamsfuss, ranked 31st in the world and the 2022 European Badminton men's doubles champions. However, Lamsfuss's injury forced the cancellation of the match.As per Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations, all matches involving Group C, including those played and yet to be played, are now considered deleted. This means that Satwiksairaj and Chirag's next match against the Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto on Tuesday becomes crucial.Alfian and Ardianto, formerly ranked number one, are currently ranked seventh in the world. They have won bronze medals at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships and were part of the 2020 Thomas Cup-winning Indonesian team. The Indian duo has a slight edge over the Indonesians, having won three of their five previous encounters.Satwiksairaj and Chirag are considered strong medal contenders for India. They have won two BWF Tour titles this year, the French Open and the Thailand Open. They were also runners-up in the Malaysian Open and India Open. They were part of the Indian team that competed in the Thomas Cup 2024 but lost to China in the quarterfinals.With a peak ranking of number one in men's doubles, several BWF Tour titles, a World Championships bronze medal, and gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Satwiksairaj and Chirag have a proven track record of success. They will be hoping to add an Olympic medal to their impressive collection.

Indian Badminton Duo Rankireddy and Shetty Aim for Olympic GloryDefending Asian and Commonwealth Games champions in men's doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, embark on their Paris Olympics campaign with high hopes of securing a medal for India. The former World No.1 pair will face the French duo of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in their opening match later today.Rankireddy and Shetty are considered India's top medal prospects in badminton, alongside two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu. Sindhu aims to become the first Indian sportsperson to win medals in three consecutive Olympic Games editions.Long-jumper Murali Sreeshankar believes that Rankireddy and Shetty have the best chance of returning home with a medal. "We hope they can replicate the performances they have delivered over the last couple of years," said Sreeshankar, who is an Olympics Expert for JioCinema. "Satwik and Chirag won a gold medal in men's doubles at the Asian Games, which is much tougher than doing so at the Olympics because, at the Asian Games, you compete against two Chinese teams, whereas, in the Olympics, only the top-16 in world ranking can participate."Sreeshankar emphasized the importance of the Asian Games gold medal in boosting the morale of the Indian pair. "They just need to continue doing what they have been doing and concentrate on the process," he said. "Their track record is so good that if they just focus on the process, I'm sure they will be able to win a medal and be proud of themselves."Rankireddy and Shetty have been in impressive form in recent years, winning the India Open and the Thailand Open in 2023. They also reached the semifinals of the All England Open and the World Championships in 2022.The Indian duo will face stiff competition in Paris, with several top-ranked pairs in the fray. However, their experience and determination will make them a formidable force. If they can maintain their focus and execute their game plan, Rankireddy and Shetty have the potential to create history and bring home an Olympic medal for India.

The 2024 Paris Olympics commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, marking the beginning of the quadrennial sporting extravaganza. India has sent a contingent of 117 athletes to the Games, with high hopes of securing a significant medal tally.India's badminton contingent is led by the illustrious PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist. The dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also represent India in the men's doubles category, emerging as strong contenders for the gold medal. India's badminton campaign commences on Saturday.Former Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap has identified Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy as the "dark horses" of the team. This is the first time since 2004 that two Indian men will compete in the Olympics. Kashyap believes that both players possess the potential to cause major upsets."I think Lakshya and Prannoy are one of the dark horses in the draw. Both of them, especially Lakshya, played the All-England final two years back. During the Olympic qualification, he came out of a tough qualification period. He had a couple of first-round losses, but the way he qualified by making it to two semi-finals and getting good wins against top-level opponents... It shows his caliber," Kashyap stated.Kashyap emphasized that both Lakshya and Prannoy have faced adversity and emerged victorious. He highlighted their experience in the Thomas Cup-winning team and their ability to perform in high-pressure matches. "They are capable of anything but are surely the dark horses. They can beat anyone in the draw, be it Li Shi Feng or Victor. I won't say they are the favorites, but they have a huge chance to create upsets and progress in the tournament," he added.PV Sindhu will also be aiming to break her title drought. Kashyap believes that Sindhu, who last won the Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, will be an "underdog" but her opponents will be wary of her credentials. "It's her third Olympics, she won two medals in the last two Olympics and several world championship medals. So I think she feels she has an edge already even though her ranking doesn't say it or her recent form doesn't say it," said Kashyap."In major events, I think the opponents also are a little wary of her even though she's not in form. I think she's going as a dark horse and underdog considering the last two years of women's singles," he added.Catch all the live action from Paris 2024 exclusively on JioCinema & Sports18.

In 2021, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made a stunning debut at the Tokyo Olympics, upsetting eventual gold medalists Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin. Despite their initial success, a loss in their second match left their Olympic hopes hanging in the balance. They eventually recovered to win their final group game, but it wasn't enough to advance to the quarterfinals. The heartbreak left the pair and their coach, Mathias Boe, in tears.Three years later, Satwik and Chirag have emerged as heavyweights in men's doubles, a highly competitive category. Under Boe's guidance, they have won titles and set records, including a World Championships bronze, an Asian Games gold, an Asian Championships title, and a rise to the top of the world rankings. They also played a crucial role in India's historic Thomas Cup victory.As they prepare for the Paris Olympics, Satwik and Chirag are considered title contenders. Former India shuttler Parupalli Kashyap believes they have a strong chance of winning India's first-ever badminton gold at the Games. They are placed in Group C, with their only immediate threat being world no. 7 Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian Ardianto. However, Kashyap identifies world no. 1 Liang Weikeng / Wang Chang and the South Korean duo of Kang Min-hyuk / Seo Seung-jae as their toughest competitors.Kashyap also highlights the potential of HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen in the men's singles category. Prannoy is a multiple super series winner and World Championships medalist, while Sen has shown his ability to rise to the occasion in big matches. Kashyap believes both players have the potential to create upsets and progress in the tournament.

India's badminton legacy at the Olympics has been built on the shoulders of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, who have won medals in each of the last three Games. However, as Sindhu prepares for her third Olympic medal in Paris, the baton may have already been passed to two young men: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.Despite a disappointing group stage exit in Tokyo 2020, Satwik-Chirag have emerged as one of India's brightest medal prospects for Paris 2024. Ranked third in the world, the duo has achieved remarkable success since Tokyo.They played a pivotal role in India's historic Thomas Cup triumph, becoming the first Indian doubles pair to win the prestigious title. Their dominance continued at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, where they clinched gold in the Men's Doubles event.In October 2023, Satwik-Chirag reached the pinnacle of their careers by becoming the first Indian doubles pair to be ranked world no. 1. This achievement earned them the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award at the end of the year.Their physical attributes give them a significant advantage on the court. Both men stand over 6'0" tall, allowing them to deliver powerful smashes. Satwik, in particular, holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest badminton smash at 565 km/h.Satwik-Chirag have consistently reached the final stages of tournaments, including three finals in 2024 alone. Their impressive form and world ranking make them one of the favorites to win the men's doubles gold in Paris.With Sindhu aiming for a third Olympic medal and Satwik-Chirag in top form, India is poised to continue its badminton success in Paris. The duo's achievements and potential suggest that they are ready to carry forward the legacy established by Nehwal and Sindhu.