Star Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are determined to stay healthy and strategically plan their tournaments in the Olympic year. Despite facing a challenging defeat in the China Masters Super 750 final, the top-ranked Indian doubles pair considered strong contenders for an Olympic medal in Paris 2024, concluded their 2023 season on a high note. They displayed remarkable determination against a formidable opponent in the final.
The intense match lasted for one hour and eleven minutes, featuring the Indian champions facing off against the top-ranked Chinese duo of Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. Despite their courageous efforts and a showcase of skill that kept spectators enthralled, Satwik and Chirag narrowly lost with scores of 19-21, 21-18, and 19-21. This defeat marked their first in six finals during the season, underscoring their outstanding performance throughout the rest of the year.
Except for the setback in their season-ending tournament, Satwik and Chirag had an outstanding performance in 2023. They started the year on a high note by winning the Swiss Open in March, setting a positive tone for the rest of the year. Subsequently, they extended their winning streak by triumphing in the Indonesia Open in June and the Korea Open in July, and also emerged victorious in two continental events, including the Asian Games.
''Yeah, I mean, it's a fantastic year for us. Whatever we thought we wanted to do well, we already did. We achieved those goals. When we started in 2023, we wanted to win a medal in the Asian Games,'' Satwik said, as quoted by PTI.
''We wanted to be in the top 2, top 3. We are really happy with the way we played and we are going into the main year for us, for everyone. In 2024, we want to rectify a few mistakes, take care of our bodies, to manage our workload. There are not many tournaments and we have to play very smart. Be very smart on court too.
''So, it's about going back, resting and then getting back. 2023 has been amazing. And I want to do well in 2024 as well,'' he added.
Arguably the most significant accomplishment in 2023 for them was securing the gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. This achievement held special significance as it concluded a 60-year anticipation for India, marking the country's inaugural gold medal in badminton at the Asiad. The victory at the Asian Games wasn't merely a triumph but a story of overcoming adversity, with the pair persevering through issues of bad form, viral fever, and cold to emerge victorious against the South Korean duo of Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho.
Alongside these championships, Rankireddy and Shetty secured victory at the Badminton Asia Championships. Sporting a commendable 40-13 record in 2023, Satwik and Chirag reached the pinnacle by attaining the No. 1 position in the BWF Rankings in October, concluding their season ranked at No. 5.
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