Editor
Ranked sixth in the world, Satwiksairaj Reddy and Chirag Shetty had previously suffered eight defeats at the hands of the Malaysian pair. However, their recent triumph at the Asian Championship had boosted their confidence and inspired badminton enthusiasts across India. Their exceptional performance throughout the tournament reflected their determination to rewrite history.
Despite the formidable reputation of Aaron Chia and Wooi Yik Soh as reigning World Champions, they couldn't counter the strategic approach adopted by the Indian duo. Satwiksairaj and Chirag maintained their composure and executed their game plan flawlessly, not giving their opponents any opportunity to make a comeback.
"We used to hold back in our previous matches against them, but today we stuck to our plan. We realized that they are human and prone to making mistakes. We stayed focused until the end and never allowed them a chance to recover," commented Chirag Shetty.
In the first game, the Malaysians initially took the lead, but the Indian pair swiftly caught up at 7-7. Satwiksairaj and Chirag then surged ahead, leaving Chia and Soh struggling to keep up. With a comfortable cushion, the Indian duo claimed the first game with a score of 21-17.
In the second game, the Malaysians attempted to mount a resistance early on, but Satwiksairaj and Chirag remained determined to etch their names in history by securing India's first Super 1000 World Tour title.
Satwiksairaj expressed his excitement about the victory, saying, "In recent tournaments, I felt more determined than ever. Winning this tournament is fantastic, and we have another one next week. We will reset and continue our journey. I'm pleased with our performance. It felt like a fresh start, playing against new opponents. Despite our previous head-to-head record of 8-0 against us, I didn't dwell on it. I reminded myself that it was a final, and both teams were under pressure. If we played well, we would win. We were in control from the start of the first game. I told myself it was our day, so there was no need to panic. We played it just like any other final."
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) praised the historic achievement, with General Secretary Sanjay Mishra stating, "This is a historic and fantastic victory for India. Satwiksairaj Reddy and Chirag Shetty have consistently made the country proud. Their success highlights the rapid rise of Indian badminton in the doubles category on the global stage. We must also applaud the coaches and support staff for their efforts in ensuring such consistent performances."
Prior to this tournament, no Indian pair had ever advanced beyond the semifinals in a BWF Super 1000 World Tour event. Satwiksairaj Reddy and Chirag Shetty's groundbreaking triumph is a testament to their skill, resilience, and the promising future of Indian badminton.