In the world of badminton, two fierce competitors, Pusarla V Sindhu and Nozomi Okuhara, collided once again on the grand stage of the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2023. This encounter, although not as intense as their previous battles, left both players with different emotions – Okuhara with hope and Pusarla with despair.
Okuhara Shines Bright
Surprisingly, it was Okuhara who displayed superior performance, overcoming a 9-0 deficit in the second game to win in straight sets and advance to the third round. Her campaign in this year’s World Championships has already surpassed her previous seven tournaments, exhibiting her determination and progress. A snapshot from their intense face-off can be seen below.
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Speaking after the match, an elated Okuhara expressed her feelings, saying, “I feel much better today. It was just me challenging a good opponent, and I wasn’t nervous at all. Although it was difficult to recover when I was 9-0 down, once I reached 11, I regained my confidence.”
The Special Connection Between Okuhara and Pusarla
Okuhara and Pusarla share a special bond, primarily due to their epic clash in the 2017 World Championships final, which Okuhara won after an intense 110-minute battle. Since then, they have met multiple times, including another World Championships final, with Pusarla having the upper hand in their head-to-head meetings at 10-8.
Both players have faced their fair share of challenges, including injuries and dips in form. Recently, Pusarla has shown promising results, reaching a final and two semifinals this season. However, she still has a long way to go before reaching her peak performance. Reflecting on her struggles, Pusarla candidly admitted, “I’ve been losing in the early rounds. But I shouldn’t lose hope; I need to believe in myself. I know it’s really sad and I feel bad. I’ve been working hard, but nothing’s working out. It’s important for me to go back, work on my skills mentally and physically, and come back stronger.”
On the other hand, Okuhara acknowledged that she is still at around “50 or 60 per cent” of her prime. She expressed her complex emotions after her first victory of the year, saying, “First of all, I really wanted to cherish each game, focusing on one stroke and one point at a time. This tournament is finally where I begin my journey to the Olympics. It hasn’t been easy for me to stand on the court, but I’m grateful to have the support of many people. Although I haven’t reached my best level yet, I will continue to improve, especially for my fans who are waiting for me.”
FAQs
Q: How many times have Okuhara and Pusarla faced each other in the World Championships?
A: Okuhara and Pusarla have faced each other multiple times in the World Championships, including an epic clash in the 2017 final.
Q: How is Okuhara’s performance in this year’s World Championships compared to previous tournaments?
A: Okuhara’s performance in this year’s World Championships has already exceeded her performance in the seven previous tournaments, showcasing her progress and determination.
Conclusion
The encounter between Okuhara and Pusarla at the BWF World Championships 2023 may not have lived up to their past battles, yet it still evoked a range of emotions for both players. While Okuhara showcased her resilience and progress, Pusarla acknowledged her struggles and the need to bounce back stronger. As badminton enthusiasts, we eagerly await their future encounters, hoping for more enthralling matches on badminton’s biggest stages.
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