Badminton

Ashwini Ponnappa, a seasoned badminton player, faced skepticism after taking a break in 2022. Despite her continued training, many assumed she had retired. After a successful partnership with Jwala Gutta, Ashwini teamed up with N Sikki Reddy for six years, but they failed to secure a title.In December 2022, Ashwini and Tanisha Crasto, a rising star, decided to join forces. For Ashwini, it was a final chance at glory, while for Tanisha, it was an opportunity to learn from an experienced player.Their initial tournaments were disappointing, but they persevered. In June 2023, they won the Nantes International Challenge, marking a turning point. They reached four more finals, winning two and becoming India's No. 2 women's pair.Their success was fueled by Tanisha's explosiveness and Ashwini's power. They also upset top 10 pairs and overtook Treesa Jolly and P Gayatri Gopichand as India's No. 1.On Tuesday, they qualified for the Paris Olympics, Ashwini's third and Tanisha's first. Their journey has been marked by small wins that have culminated in a major achievement.Ashwini credits their success to their ability to adapt their game style during matches. They also acknowledge areas for improvement, such as becoming more systematic in their attack.Ashwini is enjoying this stage of her career, finding motivation and happiness in her work. The pair will continue to train and compete in preparation for the Olympics.

India's Thomas Cup defense hit a roadblock as they succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against Indonesia in their final Group C tie. Despite qualifying for the quarter-finals, the defending champions were given a wake-up call ahead of the knockouts.HS Prannoy emerged as a bright spot for India, showcasing his readiness for the upcoming challenges. The Indian No.1 overcame health concerns to pull off a come-from-behind victory over world No.7 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.The first doubles match proved to be a nail-biter, with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty narrowly losing to Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana after saving 12 match points.Lakshya Sen fought valiantly against reigning All England and Asian champion Jonatan Christie, but ultimately fell short in a three-game thriller. The defeat gave Indonesia the lead in the tie.India's hopes of an upset in the second doubles were dashed as Dhruv Kapila and K Sai Pratheek lost to world No.13 Leo Carnando and Daniel Martin.In the third singles, Kidambi Srikanth squandered two match points before losing to Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo.Despite the setback, India remains confident heading into the quarter-finals, where they will face hosts China. The Indian women's team, meanwhile, will take on Japan in the Uber Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024Indian badminton has achieved a significant milestone with five players securing quotas for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) released the 'Race to Paris' Ranking List, which determines the qualification for the Games.Former world champion PV Sindhu, a silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics and a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has secured her quota by finishing 12th in the rankings. In the men's singles, HS Prannoy (ranked 9th) and Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen (ranked 13th) have also earned quotas for India.In the doubles competitions, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have secured the third spot in the men's doubles list, while Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto have finished 13th in the women's doubles. Chirag and Satwik became the first Indian doubles pair to reach world number one last year, while Ashwini and Crasto have won two Super 100 championship titles and finished as runners-up in a Super 300 tournament.With a total of seven badminton quotas, India could field its joint-biggest badminton contingent in the Olympics, having played with seven shuttlers at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This achievement is a testament to the growing strength of Indian badminton and the players' determination to excel on the world stage.

HS Prannoy, India's top-ranked shuttler, has been struggling with health issues that have impacted his performance in 2024. Despite his recent early round exits, Prannoy remains determined to regain his form ahead of the Paris Olympics.In an interview earlier this year, Prannoy expressed his desire to continue his impressive run from 2023, where he achieved his career-best ranking of world No.6 and became the first Indian shuttler to qualify for the Paris Olympics. However, his performance in 2024 has been hindered by constant nausea, which has caused him to lose weight and experience breathing difficulties.Prannoy's medical condition is similar to acid reflux, which he has suffered from in the past. The malfunctioning muscle lining his esophagus has prevented food from moving down properly, leading to vomiting. This has affected his training and on-court performance, as he has been unable to eat properly and has lost energy.Despite his health challenges, Prannoy has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. He played a crucial role in India's 5-0 victory over England in the Thomas Cup Group C clash, defeating world No.106 Harry Huang in straight sets.Prannoy's win against Huang was a significant step in his recovery, as he aims to regain his touch before the Paris Olympics. He will face tougher battles ahead, including a match against 14-time champions Indonesia on Wednesday.Prannoy's determination and resilience are evident in his efforts to overcome his health issues and regain his form. His performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining his chances of success at the Paris Olympics.

Holders India commenced their Thomas Cup campaign with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Thailand in Chengdu on Saturday. However, the Southeast Asian nation proved that rankings hold little significance in the prestigious badminton tournament.Despite the eventual scoreline, India faced a stern test on the opening day of the world men's team championships. Paris Olympics-bound HS Prannoy, ranked ninth in the world, initially struggled against Kunlavut Vitidsarn. The reigning world champion rallied to win the first game 22-20 and eventually took the match 22-20, 21-14.World No. 3 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also faced a challenge against Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul. The Indian duo won the first game but made uncharacteristic errors in the second. They regained composure in the decider to win 21-19, 19-21, 21-12.Lakshya Sen gave India the lead by defeating Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul 21-12, 19-21, 21-16. However, the world No. 105 took a game off the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion.MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila defeated Tanadon Punpanich and Wachirawit Sothon 21-19, 21-15. Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth had an easy outing against Saran Jamsri, winning 21-9, 21-5.In the Uber Cup, a second-string Indian team defeated a full-strength Canada 4-1. Ashmita Chaliha's victory over Michelle Li was a highlight, as the world No. 53 outsmarted the former top 10 player.Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra, Isharani Baruah, and Anmol Kharb also contributed to India's victory.

India's women's badminton team made a resounding start to their Uber Cup campaign in Chengdu, China, on Saturday, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Canada. The triumph was spearheaded by a stunning performance from Ashmita Chaliha, who upset world no. 25 Michelle Li in the opening singles match.Chaliha, ranked 53rd, displayed remarkable resilience and tactical acumen to outplay Li, a Commonwealth Games medalist. The 42-minute encounter saw Chaliha triumph 26-24 24-22, setting the tone for India's dominant display.The young women's doubles pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra continued the momentum, dispatching Catherine Choi and Jeslyn Chow 21-12 21-10 to extend India's lead to 2-0. Isharani Baruah then sealed an unassailable 3-0 advantage with a 21-13 21-12 victory over Wen Yu Zhang.Canada managed to salvage a point in the second women's doubles match, with Jackie Dent and Crystal overcoming Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker 19-21 15-21. However, Anmol Kharb ensured India's comfortable win by defeating Eliana Zhang 21-15 21-11 in the fifth and final match.The victory marks a positive start for the young Indian team, which will face tougher challenges ahead. They will encounter Singapore on Sunday and China on Tuesday in Group A. Meanwhile, India's men's team will begin their Thomas Cup title defense against Thailand later on Saturday.

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.

Seasoned Indian shuttler H.S. Prannoy has been battling a chronic gastrointestinal disorder for the past four months, which has taken a toll on his physical and mental health. Prannoy was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 2018, a condition that causes heartburn, abdominal and chest pain, and inflammation of the vocal cords.Despite recovering from GERD and the after-effects of COVID-19, Prannoy has been struggling with the condition again for the past four months. "It's been bothering me for the last four months. It has taken a toll on me mentally and physically, making it difficult to maintain the physical state I was in the last two years," Prannoy told PTI.The 31-year-old played a pivotal role in India's historic Thomas Cup victory in 2022, followed by a bronze medal at the World Championships and Asian Games, a maiden Super 500 title at the Malaysia Masters, and a runner-up finish at the Australian Open in 2023. However, this season, Prannoy has only managed one semifinal finish at the India Open Super 750 and has faced a series of first-round exits.Despite his struggles, Prannoy showed signs of improvement at the Asia Badminton Championships in Ningbo, China, where he defeated China's Lu Guang Zu in a marathon 90-minute opening-round match. "It gives me satisfaction that the things I'm working on are coming good. Those kind of wins give confidence," he said.Looking ahead to the Thomas Cup title defense, Prannoy acknowledged the challenges ahead. "It will be tough this year. There are very tough teams with three strong singles and two doubles, like China, Denmark, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Indonesia," he said.India has been drawn into a tough Group C with last year's runner-up Indonesia, Thailand, and England. "We have Satwik-Chirag, a strong doubles pair, and Lakshya hitting form at the right time. It will give us an extra boost, but a lot of ties will depend on first singles, third singles, and second men's doubles," Prannoy said.Despite the pressure, Prannoy remains optimistic. "From the team perspective, there will be a lot of expectations on my first singles, but overall it will be very tough to defend the title. Each round, even from the group stages, will be tough," he said.

Two-time world champion Kento Momota, once badminton's undisputed king, has announced his retirement from international competition at the age of 29. The Japanese star, who won 11 titles in 2019 and lost just six of 73 matches that year, has been battling the after-effects of a serious car crash in 2020.The accident, which occurred hours after Momota won the Malaysia Masters, left him with a fractured eye socket and double vision. Despite returning to competition after a year out, Momota struggled to regain his scintillating form, winning just two more titles."At the time of the accident, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think to myself, 'Why me?'" Momota told reporters in Tokyo. "There were a lot of tough times after that traffic accident. I tried to get back to the way I used to play through trial and error, but there was a gap between my feelings and my body."Momota's retirement marks the end of an era in badminton. The Japanese star was known for his exceptional speed, agility, and court coverage. He was also a master of deception, often leaving opponents guessing with his unpredictable shots.Momota's retirement has been met with sadness from the badminton community. Viktor Axelsen, who supplanted Momota as the world's best men's player, said "it has been an absolute pleasure sharing the court with you.""I feel lucky to have been able to compete with a player of your calibre," Axelsen wrote on social media.Momota's legacy will undoubtedly be debated for years to come. Some may argue that his career was cut short by the car crash, while others may point to his remarkable achievements before the accident. Regardless of where one stands on that debate, there is no doubt that Momota was one of the greatest badminton players of all time.