Indian doubles duo Satwik-Chirag fall short in the semifinals of the World Championships 2025, securing a bronze medal finish against Chen-Liu.
India's badminton doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, experienced a setback in the semifinals of the BWD World Championships 2025 in Paris. The duo, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2022 World Championships, lost to Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi with scores of 19-21, 21-18, 12-21.
The quarterfinals match, which took place on Friday, August 30, 2024, saw dramatic shifts, with both teams leading at various points. In the opening game, Satwik and Chirag had a 9-3 lead, but Chen and Liu clawed back to win 21-19. A switch in sides sparked a surge for India in the second game, with them winning 21-18 to force a decider. However, the third game turned one-sided, with Liu's flick serve unsettling Chirag repeatedly, and Chen and Liu winning 21-12.
The match lasted 67 minutes and marked the first time Satwik-Chirag have failed to reach the final of a world championship. Chirag attributed the loss to giving away easy points and not getting any rhythm. Satwik faced health issues and the loss of his father in February, while Chirag was sidelined by a back injury for several weeks.
Despite these challenges, Satwik and Chirag made quarterfinal appearances at various tournaments throughout the season. Their coach, Tan Kim Her, returned as their coach in 2025 and played a key role in their preparation and success. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also stressed the importance of mental strength and confidence in high-stakes encounters.
The loss comes a year after an Olympic heartbreak at the Paris Games. Satwik and Chirag had won the quarterfinals against Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, extending India's medal run at the tournament. In the quarterfinals, they defeated two-time Olympic medallists, adding to their victory.
The semifinal loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Indian duo, but they can take pride in their resilience and determination throughout the season, overcoming injuries and personal losses to continue their medal run at the World Championships. They will undoubtedly be back, stronger and more determined than ever.
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