Asia Team Championships: Women’s team defies odds, brings home historic gold

PTI

Shah Alam (Malaysia), February 18

Anmol Kharb yet again performed when it mattered, winning the decisive fifth rubber to lead the Indian women to a historic Badminton Asia Team Championships title with a tight 3-2 victory over a depleted Thailand here today.

The women’s team, led by seasoned PV Sindhu, defied all expectations to come up trumps against two-time bronze medallists Thailand.

It has been a fantastic performance. Overall, every member of the team contributed. We beat some really top teams, not many teams in the world can talk about beating China, Japan and Thailand and I think each played wellRs Pullela Gopichand, Chief National Coach

“It is a big thing because history has been scripted here,” Anmol said. “Yesterday (after the semifinal win) it went crazy in India because beating powerhouses like Japan and China was such a big thing. Today, it will be full-on celebration in India and in the team as well,” she added.

It is the first-ever major title for the Indian women in team championships and provides a big boost to the side ahead of the Uber Cup, which is set to be held in Chengdu, China, from April 28 to May 5.

India had won two medals in the past, with the men’s team claiming bronze medals in the 2016 and 2020 editions.

Though like most of the teams in the competition, Thailand were not at full strength, they still had higher-ranked players in their side.

Thailand were without their top two singles players — world No. 13 Ratchanok Intanon and No. 16 Pornpawee Chochuwong.

Two-time Olympics medallist Sindhu provided India a confident start, riding on her power and placement to outclass world No. 17 Supanida Katethong 21-12 21-12 in the first singles. World No. 23 Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand then dished out another gritty performance to shock world No. 10 Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Pra Jongjai 21-16 18-21 21-16 to put India in the driver’s seat.

Up against world No. 18 Busanan Ongbamrungphan, expectations were high from Ashmita Chaliha after her stunning win against former world champion Nozomi Okuhara on Saturday.

The Indian, who had defeated Busanan at the Singapore Open in 2022, stayed in the match till 14-14 in the second game but a string of unforced errors cost Ashmita dearly as she went down 11-21 14-21 against her experienced rival.

Young Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam, the senior national champions, then lost 11-21 9-21 to the world No. 13 Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard to leave the tie evenly poised at 2-2.

Anmol then shouldered the responsibility of taking India through once again, producing a dominating 21-14 21-9 victory over world No. 45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong.

“It’s a big achievement at 17 years old. Now I have to train harder to beat tougher opponents,” she said.

Soon after the win, the entire squad got into a huddle to lift Anmol, celebrating the magnificent win.

“It is a great moment for Indian badminton. I give a lot of credit to these youngsters. They displayed great spirit. They were supporting each other and the atmosphere was just like it was when India won the Thomas Cup. So this is a special moment for India,” former India coach Vimal Kumar said.

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