Did Satwik-Chirag Finally Achieve Redemption at the World Championships?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling match at the BWF World Championships, Satwik and Chirag secured India's first-ever medal. Their victory over Olympic medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik not only marked a historic achievement but also served as a sweet revenge after their prior Olympic loss. What does this mean for Indian badminton's future?
Key Takeaways
- Satwik and Chirag achieve India's first medal at BWF World Championships.
- The pair defeated Olympic medallists in a memorable match.
- This victory serves as redemption after a previous Olympic loss.
- The duo is focused on maintaining their performance in upcoming matches.
- India faces challenges in other events, highlighting the competitive nature of the championships.
Paris, Aug 30 (NationPress) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty expressed a profound sense of redemption following their historic achievement of securing India's first medal at the BWF World Championships by overcoming Malaysia's two-time Olympic medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the quarterfinals.
The world No. 3 duo triumphed over the Malaysians in straight games, recording scores of 21-12, 21-19 in just 43 minutes, thus clinching their second medal at this esteemed championship.
This Indian pair had previously faced these opponents on the same court during the Paris Olympics, where they narrowly missed their first Olympic medal last year.
"I feel really good right now. It was like a rematch from the Olympics, and I finally believe we got some redemption. We played on the same court, in the same arena," Shetty remarked post-match.
"Exactly a year ago, we were at the Olympics, and now we're at the World Championships. Competing against them is always a pleasure; we've had some intense battles at major events. I'm thrilled we could secure the win today," he added.
Rankireddy expressed his contentment with their performance, which has now secured them a spot in the semifinals.
"In the second game, when we took the lead, I thought to myself that it wouldn’t be this easy. I knew they would come back stronger, as we have faced them many times before," he stated.
"When we won the close games, it was neck and neck. I reminded myself to stay composed and not rush for points. I believed we were in control, even when they were under pressure. As I mentioned earlier, we just want to play our A-game and see where it takes us, which has been our focus since our first match. We are really pleased with how we performed today," he added.
When asked about their strategy against the 11th seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi from China in the upcoming semifinals on Saturday, Shetty remarked that they would approach it like any other match in the tournament.
"Just like every other match we've played in this tournament—taking it one step at a time. They are a strong pair, and we have played against them before. We are looking forward to tomorrow," he said.
On Friday, India's hopes for multiple medals took a hit as PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila exited in the quarterfinals.
Sindhu's quest for a historic sixth BWF World Championships medal ended with a loss to Indonesian 9th seed Putri Kusuma Wardani, with scores of 14-21, 21-13, 16-21.
Meanwhile, the Indian duo, aiming for the nation’s first-ever medal in mixed doubles, fell short against Malaysia’s World No. 4 pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, losing 15-21, 13-21 in just 37 minutes.
Point of View
Satwik and Chirag's achievement at the BWF World Championships stands as a beacon of hope and determination. Their victory symbolizes resilience and the potential that Indian badminton holds on the world stage. As the nation rallies behind its athletes, this moment serves as a reminder of the heights that can be achieved with dedication and hard work.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Satwik and Chirag win at the BWF World Championships?
They secured India's first-ever medal in the history of the BWF World Championships.
Who did they defeat to win the medal?
They defeated Malaysia's two-time Olympic medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
What was the score of their quarterfinal match?
The match ended with scores of 21-12, 21-19 in favor of Satwik and Chirag.
Which team will they face in the semifinals?
They will face the 11th seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi from China.
What other Indian athletes exited the tournament?
PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles pair Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
