Satwik-Chirag Discuss Their Strong Connection with Coach Tan Kim Her, Who They Fondly Call 'Daddy'
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Synopsis
The Indian men's doubles badminton team of Satwik and Chirag share their enthusiasm about reuniting with coach Tan Kim Her, emphasizing their strong emotional connection. They reflect on past successes and set ambitious goals for the future, including a desire to reclaim their place in the top rankings and perform well at the All-England Open.
Key Takeaways
- Emotional Bond: Satwik and Chirag share a strong connection with coach Tan Kim Her.
- Coaching Approach: Their training has evolved into a more conversational style.
- Rankings Goal: They aim to return to the Top 5 in BWF rankings.
- All-England Open: They seek to finally medal in this prestigious tournament.
- Injury Updates: Both athletes are currently in good physical condition.
New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Indian men's doubles badminton pair, Satwik and Chirag, shared their excitement about reuniting with their coach, Tan Kim Her, and discussed their emotional connection with the Malaysian doubles expert, who played a crucial role in forming the "deadly duo" of Satwik and Chirag back in 2016.
Tan stepped in to coach after Danish Olympic medallist Mathias Boe, who decided to retire from coaching roles following the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Satwik and Chirag reached the quarterfinals.
Reflecting on the return of the Malaysian doubles specialist, who enjoyed a successful four-year tenure from 2015 to 2019 with the Indian players, Chirag mentioned at the India Open pre-tournament press conference, "The approach is significantly different now compared to 2016 because we are more established in the world tour. In the past, it was more directive; now it’s more of a dialogue, where we talk about what needs to be accomplished."
Discussing the bond they forged with coach Tan during his initial stint, Satwik said, "Having a close bond with the coach is essential. When he first worked with 'Me and Chirag,' it was very comfortable... We used to call him 'Daddy' because he was instrumental in our development. He’s back now, and our bond remains the same. This trust is crucial between a coach and player."
The duo, who once held the title of world No. 1 in men's doubles, aims to reclaim a place in the Top 5 of the BWF rankings after missing a significant portion of the 2024 season following their quarterfinal finish in the Paris Olympics.
Chirag and Satwik got off to a strong start this season by reaching the Malaysia Open Super 1000 semifinal last week. However, the Indians, who became the first Indian men’s doubles pair to achieve the BWF ranking summit, currently sit at ninth and are focused on elevating their ranking and clinching major titles.
After a disappointing quarterfinal exit at the Paris Olympics, Satwik and Chirag took a break, which was extended due to Rankireddy’s shoulder injury, leading to their absence from several top-tier tournaments and a drop in their world ranking.
The men's doubles team will next compete in the India Open, a BWF Super 750 tournament, where they are seeded seventh and will begin their campaign against the Malaysian duo of Wei Chong Man and Kai Wun Tee.
During the official press conference on Monday, Chirag outlined their plans for the 2025 season: "Our goal is to surpass our performance in 2024. We want to return to the top five and win major tournaments where we haven't medaled yet."
While the Indians have excelled in nearly every major tournament, the esteemed All-England Open remains one event where they have yet to demonstrate their full capabilities.
Chirag remarked, "The All-England is, without a doubt, a significant event for all badminton players. It’s one of the major tournaments, and every athlete aspires to win it. For both Satwik and me, performing well at the All England is a priority. It’s one of the tournaments where we’ve not medaled, and I hope we can change that this time around."
When asked for an update on Satwik's shoulder and back issues, Chirag explained, "As athletes, we will always face minor injuries; staying injury-free is not always possible. This applies to all athletes. However, Satwik is currently doing well. Both of us have been training with the same coach, Ganesh, for the last few months. Overall, we feel good physically."
The Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallists, Satwik and Chirag, who won the India Open title in 2022 and were runners-up in the latest edition, are looking to replicate their victory from three years ago when the tournament kicks off on Tuesday.
