BackIndian women's team clinch maiden Badminton Asia Team championship as teenager Anmol Kharb shines
India's young talent Anmol Kharb showcased her skills in the ultimate match, emerging victorious once more and clinching the prestigious title for India in a historic fashion
PremiumIndia's badminton champions PV Sindhu, Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly, and 17-year-old Anmol Kharb created history on Sunday as they defeated Thailand to clinch the maiden Badminton Asia Team Championships. The nail-biting finals witnessed multiple ups and downs for India as the team initially secured a 2-0 lead but then Thailand pushed itself to level the score at 2-2, necessitating a decisive final game.
India's young talent Anmol Kharb showcased her skills in the ultimate match, emerging victorious once more and clinching the prestigious title for India in a historic fashion.
"It is a great moment for Indian badminton. I give a lot of credit to these youngsters. They displayed great spirit, they supported 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 told PTI.
India received a confident start from two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who returned to the game after a four-month injury-induced hiatus. The former world champion demonstrated a resurgence in her aggressive form, utilizing her power and precise shot placement to convincingly defeat the 17th-ranked player in the world, Supanida Katethong, with a score of 21-12, 21-12 in the first singles match, thereby giving India a 1-0 lead in the competition.
With the match finely balanced at 2-2, Anmol once more assumed the crucial task of securing India's triumph. She accomplished this mission by delivering a commanding performance, clinching a decisive 21-14, 21-9 victory over the 45th-ranked player in the world, Pornpicha Choeikeewong, in the pivotal third singles match.
Gave my 100% with no pressure: Anmol Kharb
Following her triumph, the entire team gathered in unity to celebrate Anmol's outstanding win at the Setia City Convention Center, forming a huddle to lift her spirits and commemorate the momentous achievement.
"I'm very happy that we bagged the gold medal because this is the first time India has won the gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championships," Anmol Kharb said after the match.
"It is a big thing because history has been scripted here. 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 a full-on celebration in India and the team as well. I wanted to play my 100 percent but there was no pressure on me at all. We were confident of winning the fifth match," the champion added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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