Raksha Kandasamy of India took silver in the All England Junior Badminton Championships on Monday. Kandasamy was defeated in the final by Jackie Dent of Canada. Kandasamy grabbed the first set in a three-setter, prevailing 21-19.
The high-stakes final took place in the iconic badminton arena in Birmingham, England, where aspiring shuttlers from around the world had gathered to showcase their talents and compete for the prestigious title. Raksha Kandasamy, hailing from Chennai, India, proved to be a force to be reckoned with throughout the tournament, displaying incredible prowess and skill at every stage.
Leading Indian badminton coach and former national champion, Anup Sridhar, praised Raksha’s performance, stating, “She has showcased tremendous potential and determination on the court. Raksha’s performance in the All England Junior Championships indicates a promising future for Indian badminton, and I am certain she will continue to shine in the international arena.”
Dent, on the other hand, demonstrated her abilities in the second, collecting victories with smashes and precise dribbles near the net to tie the game 21-12. She kept the speed up in the third and smacked Kandasamy in the face to win the game 21-11 as the Indian battled to find her rhythm.
Dent beat another Indian competitor, Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye, in the semifinals in straight games, 21-19, 21-17
Raksha’s achievement is a testament to the growing stature of Indian badminton in the world. With stars like P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal leading the way, Raksha Kandasamy’s success adds another chapter to India’s ever-evolving badminton legacy.
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