Badminton

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have been handed a favorable draw for the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to commence on July 26. The duo, who have enjoyed a remarkable run of success in recent years, have been seeded third in the men's doubles event.Satwik and Chirag, both 27 years old, have established themselves as one of the top pairs in the world. They claimed the prestigious Thomas Cup gold medal in 2022, becoming the first Indian team to achieve this feat. They also secured the Commonwealth Games gold medal in the same year, further cementing their status as a formidable force in the sport.In the lead-up to the Olympics, Satwik and Chirag have continued to impress. They captured the 2023 Asia Championships title, followed by victories at the French Open Super 750 and Thailand Open Super 500 tournaments. They have also reached two more finals in 2024, showcasing their consistency and ability to perform at the highest level.In the Olympic draw, Satwik and Chirag have been placed in Group C. Their toughest opponents are likely to be the Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who are currently ranked sixth in the world. The Indian duo will also face competition from the German combination of Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel (ranked 31st) and the French pair of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar (ranked 43rd).The inclusion of Corvee and Labar in the draw was the result of a Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) hearing. The World Badminton Federation (BWF) had initially qualified 16 pairs for the men's doubles event, but CAS ordered the BWF to recommend to the International Olympic Committee that Corvee and Labar be included. This resulted in a revised 17-pair draw.Satwik and Chirag will be aiming to make a deep run in the Olympics and challenge for a medal. They have the experience, talent, and momentum to succeed on the biggest stage. Their favorable draw provides them with a good opportunity to advance to the knockout rounds and compete for a podium finish.

Saina Nehwal, India's first Olympic badminton medalist, has high hopes for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics. She believes that the men's doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have a 95% chance of winning a medal, including a strong possibility of gold.Nehwal praised the duo's growth, form, and consistency, stating that they are the country's top prospects in Paris. She also expressed confidence in the entire seven-member Indian squad, which includes H.S. Prannoy, P.V. Sindhu, Ashwini Ponnappa, Tanisha Crasto, and Lakshya Sen."I hope everyone gives a tough fight," Nehwal said. "All of them have shown good results in the last 3-4 months. There are definite chances that a medal will come (from badminton). At the moment, I can't say how many, but they will come for sure."Nehwal believes that Shetty and Rankireddy are so dominant that they will be favorites against most opponents, except for a few Chinese and Danish pairs. She emphasized that they must embrace the pressure and expectations that come with competing at the Olympics.Regarding Sindhu, Nehwal believes that she has a chance to win her third Olympic medal. Despite her recent form, Nehwal stressed the importance of preparation and work ethic. She pointed to Lee Chong Wei's three consecutive silver medals as an example of the possibility of multiple Olympic medals.Nehwal also commented on the evolution of the women's game, which has become more physical and dominated by longer rallies. She cited An Se Young as an example of this trend, praising her speed, endurance, and diving ability.In the men's singles, Nehwal believes that the field is wide open in Paris. She named Viktor Axelsen, Shi Yu Qi, and Lakshya Sen as potential medal contenders. She emphasized that on any given day, any of the top players can beat each other.

Indian badminton's star doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are meticulously preparing for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Having faced challenges with service variations from opponents, they have devised strategies to overcome this hurdle.Satwik and Chirag have been working on their physical and mental conditioning to ensure peak performance. They are analyzing their opponents' strengths and weaknesses to develop specific game plans. The duo is also focusing on targeted drills and enhancing their on-court positioning and shot selection.Their experience at the Tokyo Olympics has been invaluable, teaching them how to handle pressure and adapt to different playing conditions. The confidence boost from winning the French Open has further motivated them.Despite facing challenges against left-right combinations, Satwik and Chirag believe they can beat any pair if they play at their best. They are not letting expectations and pressure affect their mindset, instead focusing on enjoying the atmosphere and taking it one game at a time.As mentors of the PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC), Satwik and Chirag are committed to nurturing young talent. They provide guidance on drills, techniques, and strategies, as well as tips on mental resilience and managing competition stress.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, the dynamic Indian men's doubles badminton pair, have etched their names in history as the first Indian duo to ascend to the world No. 1 ranking. Their remarkable journey, marked by unwavering determination and a shared passion for the sport, has culminated in this unprecedented achievement.Their partnership, forged in the crucible of adversity, has blossomed into a formidable force on the international stage. Despite initial language barriers and contrasting playing styles, Shetty and Rankireddy have overcome these challenges through open communication and a willingness to adapt.Shetty, known for his powerful smashes, credits his volleyball background for his exceptional technique. His ability to generate immense speed and precision has earned him a Guinness World Record for the fastest hit in badminton. Rankireddy, on the other hand, brings a unique blend of agility and finesse to the court.Their training regimen is a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence. They meticulously hone their skills through rigorous drills, focusing on both power and defense. Shetty emphasizes the importance of developing muscle memory and perfecting their net game.Beyond their physical prowess, Shetty and Rankireddy share a deep connection that transcends the court. Their shared love for South Indian music has created a unique playlist that fuels their competitive spirit. From Rajnikanth's iconic anthems to Shah Rukh Khan's Bollywood hits, their music serves as a source of inspiration and motivation.Their partnership has not been without its challenges. Shetty initially felt burdened by the pressure of playing with Rankireddy, but through open dialogue and the guidance of their coach, they have forged a bond that has propelled them to the pinnacle of the sport.Rankireddy describes their connection as a "soul talk" that allows them to communicate seamlessly on the court. Their ability to anticipate each other's movements and adapt to changing game situations has made them a formidable force against even the most seasoned opponents.As they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Shetty and Rankireddy are determined to continue their winning streak. Their unwavering belief in their abilities and their unwavering support for each other make them serious contenders for the coveted gold medal.

The Indian badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who recently withdrew from the Indonesia Open title defense, have slipped two positions to third in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings. The Chinese pair of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang have ascended to the top spot, while Denmark's Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen have moved up two places to second.Rankireddy and Shetty, who regained the world number one ranking after winning the Thailand Open in May, have struggled for form lately. They suffered a first-round exit at the Singapore Open last month and have also withdrawn from the ongoing Australian Open.In men's singles, HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen have maintained their positions within the top 15, remaining at 10th and 14th respectively. Kidambi Srikanth has dropped four places to 32nd, while Priyanshu Rajawat (34th) and Kiran George (35th, up one place) are the next best Indians.Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu remains steady at 10th in the women's singles rankings. In women's doubles, the Paris Olympics-bound pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa have improved one place to 19th. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have also climbed one notch to 24th. The Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist pair had reached the last 16 at the Indonesia Open.

World No. 1 Indian badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the Singapore Open Super 750 tournament on Tuesday. The top-seeded pair, who were among the favorites for the gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics, fell to Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard in a closely contested match.Despite their impressive victory at the Thailand Open Super 500 earlier this month, Satwik and Chirag struggled to find their rhythm against the Danish duo. The match went down to the wire, with both pairs exchanging thrilling rallies. However, Lundgaard and Vestergaard ultimately prevailed, winning 20-22, 18-21 in a 47-minute encounter.The defeat marked a disappointing start for India at the Singapore Open. Aakarshu Kashyap, ranked 41st in the world, was outplayed by Thailand's Pornpicha Choeikeewong in the women's singles competition, losing 7-21, 15-21. Priyanshu Rajawat also faced a tough challenge in the men's singles, narrowly losing 21-23, 19-21 to Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu.In the women's doubles, the Indian pair of Rutuparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda fought valiantly but ultimately fell short against Chinese Taipei's Chang Ching Hui and Yang Ching Tun, losing 12-21, 21-12, 13-21. Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh also suffered a defeat in the mixed doubles, losing 8-21, 17-21 to Hong Kong's Lee CHun Hei Reginald and Ng Tsz Yau.Despite the setbacks, India's top shuttlers, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and HS Prannoy, will begin their campaigns on Wednesday. They will be hoping to put up a strong performance and bring home some medals for India.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have reclaimed their throne as the world's top-ranked men's doubles pair, following their triumph at the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament. The duo's victory in Bangkok marks their second Thailand Open title, having previously won the crown in 2019.In the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings released on Tuesday, 'Sat-Chi' ascended two spots to regain the top rank with 99,670 points. Their victory over China's Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi in the Thailand Open final propelled them past the Chinese pair, who now sit at world number three.The Indian duo's success in Thailand is a testament to their consistent performances on the BWF World Tour. They have now won nine BWF world tour titles, including the French Open in March."Thailand Open has been a special tournament for us," said Satwik after their victory. "We won our first Super 500 crown here and have won many more tournaments thereafter. We are hoping that this victory will start another winning run for us."In the final against Chen and Yi, Satwik and Chirag showcased their dominance, winning in straight sets 21-15, 21-15. "We knew that we could not relax even for a single point against our opponents," said Satwik. "But we played our best game of the tournament today and controlled the situation very well."The Indian pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa also made significant progress in the rankings, climbing two spots to reach number 19 after reaching the semifinals of the Thailand Open.Shuttler Meiraba Luwang Masnam, who had a remarkable run in the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals by defeating world number nine HS Prannoy and world number 54 Mads Christensen, also made a significant climb of 13 spots to reach world number 71.

India's top men's doubles badminton pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have stormed into the final of the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament in Bangkok. The duo cruised to a comfortable straight-game victory over Lu Ming-Che and Tang Kai-Wei of Chinese Taipei in the semifinals on Saturday.Satwik and Chirag, who won the Thailand Open title in 2019, needed just 35 minutes to dispatch their world No. 80 opponents 21-11, 21-12. The Indian pair dominated the match from start to finish, showcasing their superior skill and aggression.The victory marks the fourth final appearance for Satwik and Chirag in the BWF World Tour this season. They had previously finished runners-up at the Malaysia Super 1000 and India Super 750 before claiming the French Super 750 in March.In the final on Sunday, the world number three Indian duo will face the Chinese pair of Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi, who defeated Kim Gi Jung and Kim Sa Rang of South Korea in the other semifinal.Satwik and Chirag have had a mixed season so far, with some disappointing results in recent tournaments. However, their appearance in the Thailand Open final will provide a much-needed boost ahead of the Paris Olympics.The Indian pair's success in Thailand is a testament to their hard work and dedication. They have consistently performed at a high level and are now one of the top doubles teams in the world.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continued their impressive form at the Thailand Open, securing a spot in the semifinals of the men's doubles event. The world No. 3 duo cruised to a 21-7, 21-14 victory over Malaysians Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap in the quarterfinals. They will now face Chinese Taipei's Lu Ming-Che and Tang Kai-Wei in the last four.In the women's doubles, Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa also advanced to the semifinals, but their path was more challenging. They battled for one hour and 16 minutes to overcome the sixth-seeded South Korean pair of Lee Yu Lim and Shen Seung Chan, winning 21-15, 21-23, 21-19. The Indians will face top seeds Thai shuttlers Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai in the semifinals.However, the tournament came to an end for young Indian shuttler Meiraba Luwang Maisnam. The promising player was defeated 12-21, 5-21 by fourth seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.The Indian duo of Satwik and Chirag have been in excellent form this season, winning the India Open and reaching the semifinals of the All England Open. They will be aiming to continue their winning streak and secure a podium finish in Bangkok. Crasto and Ponnappa, on the other hand, have shown great resilience and determination to reach the semifinals. They will be hoping to upset the top seeds and make it to the final.