Did Devika Sihag Make History at the Thailand Masters?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bangkok, Feb 1 (NationPress): Devika Sihag, a promising young badminton talent from India, has made her mark by clinching the women’s singles title at the prestigious Thailand Masters Super 300 tournament held on Sunday. With this victory, she joins the elite club of Indian shuttlers, alongside legends PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, as the third Indian woman to secure a singles title in a Super 300 event.
The 20-year-old athlete, hailing from Haryana, was awarded the championship after her competitor, Goh Jin Wei from Malaysia, retired due to a hamstring injury during the final. Devika had established a commanding lead, winning the first game decisively at 21-8 and holding a 6-3 advantage in the second game when the match was halted.
The Thailand Masters features a total prize pool of USD 250,000 and represents a significant milestone in Devika's burgeoning career.
Throughout the tournament, Devika displayed remarkable poise and skill, overcoming higher-ranked players. She began with a victory over Ashmita Chaliha in the opening round, followed by triumphs against eighth seed Tung Ciou-Tong and top seed Supanida Katethong, reaching the final without losing a single game. Her most impressive performance came in the quarterfinals, where she eliminated the top seed, paving the way for her ultimate success.
Goh Jin Wei, a former world junior champion currently in the top 70, struggled with mobility during the final and opted to withdraw, granting Devika the title, as confirmed by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) in a statement.
Devika has consistently improved her international standing over recent seasons, having claimed her first international title at the Malaysia International in August 2025. She played an instrumental role in India's mixed team, securing a bronze medal at the 2025 World University Games.
Her momentum continued into the next season, reaching the final of the Indonesia Masters Super 100. In 2024, she participated in four finals, winning titles at the Swedish Open and Portugal International, while also becoming the runner-up at the Estonian International and Dutch International.