Asian Games: Satwik and Chirag win historic badminton gold in Hangzhou

NEW DELHI: The men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched India’s first-ever gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games. This historic triumph unfolded with an impressive straight-game victory over South Korea’s Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho, creating an unforgettable moment on a memorable Sunday.
Ranked third globally, the dynamic Indian duo had previously etched their names in the annals of history by securing the Asian championships in March. They continued their sensational run by defeating the 15th-ranked Korean pair with a decisive score of 21-18, 21-16.
Asian Games Day 14
This gold medal marked India’s inaugural podium finish in men’s doubles at the Asian Games in a span of four decades, harking back to the bronze medal won by Leroy D’sa and Pradeep Gandhe in the 1982 edition.
The Indian contingent for badminton enjoyed an unprecedented showing at the continental championships, amassing three medals in total. Alongside the historic gold in men’s doubles, they secured a silver medal in the men’s team event and a bronze in men’s singles. This remarkable feat outshone India’s performance at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, where they managed a silver and two bronze medals.

The golden achievement for Satwik and Chirag is poised to propel them to the world number one ranking in men’s doubles, as confirmed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in the upcoming ranking chart release.
In the thrilling final showdown, both pairs exhibited remarkable attacking prowess and engaged in an electrifying battle for supremacy. The first game saw the Indian duo trailing for most of the match but mounting a remarkable comeback to clinch it in the final moments.
In the subsequent game, Satwik and Chirag maintained their stranglehold from the beginning, effectively controlling the pace of rallies and securing a decisive victory. Their strategy included a calculated approach of directing shots towards Choi, altering the pace of rallies, and exploiting strategic placements and angles.

This historic gold medal is the latest jewel in Satwik and Chirag’s crown of achievements, which includes the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold, the 2022 Thomas Cup title, and the 2022 World Championships bronze. Additionally, they have triumphed at prestigious tournaments such as the Asia Championships, Indonesia Super 1000, Korea Super 500, and Swiss Open Super 300, all in the same remarkable year.
With this latest triumph, Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have solidified their status as legends in Indian badminton, leaving an indelible mark on the sport with their extraordinary accomplishments and unwavering determination.
(With inputs from PTI)