-Olympics
The Indian women’s badminton team, spearheaded by PV Sindhu, crashed out of the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Friday. The men’s team, featuring Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth, meanwhile, confirmed a medal.
In the Asian Games 2023 badminton women’s team event quarter-finals, Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, Ashmita Chaliha and Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly all lost as India went down 3-0 to Thailand.
PV Sindhu won her first game against Pornpawee Chochuwong in the opening singles match but the Indian badminton player conceded the next two games to lose 21-14, 15-21, 14-21.
In the women’s doubles match, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly lost 19-21, 5-21 to Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai. In the third match, Ashmita Chaliha fell 9-21, 16-21 to Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
The Indian women’s team had defeated Mongolia 3-0 in its round of 16 match on Thursday.
Later in the day, the Indian men’s badminton team defeated Nepal 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals. They will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea in the semis on Saturday. India were handed a bye in the first round.
In the first men’s singles clash, Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen cruised to a 21-5, 21-8 win over Prince Dahal. Kidambi Srikanth then beat Sunil Joshi 21-4, 21-12 to double India’s lead.
In the final singles clash, Mithun Manjunath got the better of Bishnu Katuwal 21-2, 21-7 to confirm India’s first medal in badminton at Hangzhou 2023.
Since losing semi-finalists in badminton events at the Asian Games win bronze, the Indian men’s has already assured itself a medal at Hangzhou.
India last won a men’s team medal at the Asian Games 37 years ago. The squad, led by Syed Modi, clinched bronze at Seoul 1986.
The badminton team events at Hangzhou 2023 will continue till October 1. The singles, doubles and mixed doubles events will start from October 2.
The Indian badminton players are targeting their first Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou. At the last edition in Jakarta, India returned with one silver and one bronze, making it their best-ever show in badminton at the continental showpiece.
Featured Image: ETV Bharat