Thursday, 14 Nov 2024

BWF News

The Asian Games have reached an unprecedented milestone, with an Indian men’s pair and a Japanese mixed pair set to compete for the gold medal. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty from India, as well as Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino from Japan, have displayed exceptional skill and determination to secure their place in the finals.

A Historic Achievement

Since the addition of mixed doubles in 1966, Japan has only managed to claim a single bronze medal at Bangkok 1970. However, Watanabe and Higashino were determined to change that. Despite losing the first game 21-11 in just 19 minutes, they rallied back to defeat Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, taking the second and third games 22-20 and 21-17, respectively. Their impressive comeback has earned them a spot in the final against the favored Chinese pair, Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong.

“We want to make history. I want us to give our best and enjoy the final,” expressed Watanabe, who had previously lost in the quarterfinals five years ago.

Meanwhile, Rankireddy and Shetty showcased their dominance by defeating the reigning world champions, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, in a surprising turn of events. The Indian duo secured a victory in just 46 minutes, winning the match 21-17 and 21-12. Their exceptional performance included an eight-point run in the first game, swiftly turning the tides in their favor.

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“We stuck to our game plan from the word go. Once we took the lead, we never let them come back,” Shetty remarked.

Rankireddy and Shetty will now face the unexpected contenders of the Hangzhou 2022 – Koreans Choi Sol Gyu and Kim Won Ho. Choi and Kim managed to defeat the Olympic champions, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin, with a remarkable score of 21-12 and 21-10. It is worth noting that India’s best finish in men’s doubles was a bronze medal won by Leroy D’Sa and Pradeep Gandhe in New Delhi in 1982.

Triumphs in Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles

In the men’s singles category, China secured the gold medal through the victories of Li Shi Feng and Shi Yu Qi in their respective semifinals. Li emerged victorious after defeating a fatigued H.S. Prannoy with a score of 21-16 and 21-9, while Shi joined the final after a convincing 21-5 and 21-15 win against Kodai Naraoka.

In the women’s singles, An Se Young from Korea made history by becoming the first Korean player since Bang Soo Hyun in 1994 to qualify for the final. As the world’s top-ranked player, An claimed a decisive victory over He Bing Jiao with a score of 21-10 and 21-13. She will now face Chen Yu Fei in what promises to be an exhilarating showdown for the gold medal at Binjiang Gymnasium tomorrow.

To stay updated on the full results and the order of play for the finals, visit the official Carnegiecentre website.

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FAQs

Q: What is the significance of the Indian and Japanese pairs reaching the gold medal match in the Asian Games?
A: The achievement of the Indian men’s pair and the Japanese mixed pair is historic, as this is the first time these nations have reached the gold medal match in this category at the Asian Games.

Q: Who are the favorites in the mixed doubles final?
A: The favored pair in the mixed doubles final is Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong from China.

Q: What is India’s best finish in men’s doubles at the Asian Games?
A: India’s best finish in men’s doubles at the Asian Games was a bronze medal won by Leroy D’Sa and Pradeep Gandhe in New Delhi in 1982.

Q: Who will compete for the gold medal in women’s singles?
A: An Se Young from Korea will face Chen Yu Fei in the women’s singles final.

Q: Can I find the full results and the order of play for the finals on the Carnegiecentre website?
A: Yes, for the full results and the order of play for the finals, please visit the Carnegiecentre website.

Conclusion

The Asian Games Badminton competition has been filled with thrilling performances and surprising victories. Both the Indian and Japanese pairs have defied expectations, securing their places in the gold medal match. The finals are set to be an intense battle, with remarkable talent and determination on display. Let us eagerly anticipate the outcomes of these historic matchups. Stay tuned to the Carnegiecentre website for all the latest updates.

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