Badminton

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.

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.

Indian badminton stars Meiraba Luwang Maisnam, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty continued their impressive run at the Thailand Open Super 500 on Thursday, advancing to the quarterfinals in their respective categories.Meiraba, a 21-year-old rising star, upset Denmark's Mads Christophersen 21-14, 22-20 in a hard-fought men's singles clash. The victory marked another milestone for Meiraba, who has been training at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. He will now face a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against world champion and local hero Kunlavut Vitidsarn.In men's doubles, the world number 3 Indian pair of Satwik and Chirag dominated Xie Sao Nan and Zeng Wei Han of China 21-16, 21-11. The Asian Games gold medallists will next face Malaysia's Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap.However, it was a disappointing day for Ashmita Chaliha in women's singles. Despite a valiant effort, she narrowly lost to top-seeded Chinese Han Yue 15-21, 21-12, 12-21. In mixed doubles, Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath also bowed out of the competition, losing 10-21, 17-21 to Rinov Rivaldy and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.The Indian shuttlers' success at the Thailand Open Super 500 is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Meiraba's victory over Christophersen is a significant achievement, while Satwik and Chirag continue to prove their dominance in men's doubles. The tournament provides valuable experience for the Indian players as they prepare for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made a strong start to the Thailand Open, cruising into the men's doubles pre-quarterfinals with a dominant victory over Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn and Tan Wee Kiong. The top-seeded Indian duo displayed their prowess, dispatching their opponents 21-13, 21-13 in a mere 34 minutes.In the next round, Satwik and Chirag will face a formidable challenge against the Chinese pair of Xie Hao Nan and Zeng Wei Han. Meanwhile, Ashmita Chaliha showcased her resilience in the women's singles competition, overcoming a first-game deficit to defeat Indonesia's Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo 19-21, 21-15, 21-14.However, a daunting task lies ahead for Ashmita in the second round, as she will confront the tournament's top seed, Han Yue of China. Yue proved her dominance by comfortably defeating another Indian, Malvika Bansod, 21-11, 21-10.

Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lead the charge for India at the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament, starting Tuesday in Bangkok. The top-seeded Indian pair, considered favorites for Olympic gold in Paris, will aim to regain their competitive edge after facing challenges in the Thomas Cup.Rankireddy and Shetty will face Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub Azriyn and Tan Wee Kiong in their opening match. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for Olympic-bound shuttlers to refine their skills and test new strategies.India's top singles player, HS Prannoy, will also seek to improve his form after battling health issues this season. Despite a confidence-boosting win over Indonesia's Anthony Ginting, Prannoy's loss to China's Shi Yuqi highlights the need for him to close out tight matches.Other Indian singles players in the fray include Kiran George and Sathish Kumar Karunakaran. In women's singles, Ashmita Chaliha, Malvika Bansod, and Aakarshi Kashyap will represent India in the absence of PV Sindhu.In women's doubles, the fourth-seeded Indian pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, who have qualified for the Paris Games, will begin their campaign in the second round.The Thailand Open Super 500 tournament provides a valuable opportunity for Indian shuttlers to fine-tune their preparations for the Paris Olympics and showcase their skills on the international stage.

India's badminton team, fresh from their historic Thomas Cup triumph in 2022, is poised to defend their title in Chengdu, China. The squad, led by Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and Priyanshu Rajawat, is determined to repeat their success and cement India's status as a badminton powerhouse.The Indian contingent has been preparing diligently for the tournament, balancing sightseeing and cultural immersion with intense training sessions. Their unwavering determination is evident in their social media posts, where they have declared their intention to "stop anyone who tries to challenge them."The team's strength lies in its doubles pair, world No.3 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. Since their Thomas Cup victory, they have ascended to the top of the world rankings and become a formidable force in the badminton circuit. Their ability to turn the tide of matches and secure crucial points will be vital for India's success.However, the singles players face a challenge in regaining their form. Srikanth and Prannoy, who played pivotal roles in the 2022 triumph, have struggled in recent tournaments. This provides an opportunity for Sen and Rajawat to step up and prove their worth. Sen, in particular, has shown signs of resurgence, reaching the semi-finals of major tournaments and securing his Olympic qualification.India's path to the title will not be easy. They are placed in a tough group alongside England and 14-time champions Indonesia. The team will need to navigate these challenges with resilience and determination.Meanwhile, India's Uber Cup team, despite missing several top players, will aim to gain valuable experience in Chengdu. Led by Anmol Kharb, the young squad will face stiff competition from the likes of Canada, Singapore, and China.