Monday, 13 May 2024

News | BWF World Championships

The TOTAL BWF World Championships recently celebrated its 25th edition in Basel, and the event was filled with exciting moments and remarkable achievements. Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights from this week-long badminton extravaganza.

Never Too Old

Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, a legendary Indonesian doubles pair, continued to prove that age is just a number. With their third title together, they had an incredible year, winning the All England and the New Zealand Open, and finishing as runners-up in four other events. What makes their achievement even more impressive is that Setiawan became the oldest-ever winner of a World Championships gold medal. This is particularly significant because the duo had previously split after the Rio Olympics and spent a year playing with other partners.

A First for India

Pusarla V Sindhu, an exceptional Indian player, finally fulfilled her dream of becoming a world champion. After securing two bronze and two silver medals in previous championships, Sindhu overcame her stiffest challenge in the quarterfinals against Tai Tzu Ying, the world No.1, in a thrilling three-game battle. Once she advanced to the next rounds, there was no stopping her. She effortlessly defeated Chen Yu Fei and her 2017 nemesis Nozomi Okuhara to claim India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Championships. Adding to the occasion was the fact that it was Sindhu’s mother’s birthday, making the victory even more special.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  BWF News

Momota’s Milestone

Kento Momota, the reigning men’s singles champion from Japan, displayed his exceptional skills once again. Despite facing some uncertainties after last year’s victory, Momota proved his dominance in Basel by not dropping a single game throughout the tournament. Even though Anders Antonsen was expected to be a formidable opponent in the final, Momota’s performance was on a different level, resulting in an emphatic victory. With this win, Momota became the only non-Chinese men’s singles player to achieve the feat of winning two gold medals at the World Championships.

Matsumoto/Nagahara’s Dream Spell

Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara from Japan created history in the women’s doubles category. They became the first non-Chinese pair to win a second title in this category. Their path to victory was far from easy, as their compatriots Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota nearly staged a comeback in the final. However, Matsumoto and Nagahara maintained composure under pressure and secured the crown by winning the last three points of the match. Their achievement is a testament to their skill and determination.

In a League of their Own

Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, the dominant mixed doubles pair, continued their remarkable success at the World Championships. Despite facing some tough opponents, including Hafiz Faizal/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino, and Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Zheng and Huang were unstoppable. They set a standard that none could match, and their final match against Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai was a one-sided affair. With their victory, Zheng and Huang joined an elite group of pairs who have successfully defended their title at the World Championships.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  NEWS

Glory for Japan

Japan’s badminton team had a sensational performance at the World Championships, signaling their strength and potential leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. With five finalists, Japan outperformed everyone else, while China struggled with only one finalist. This turnaround after the Sudirman Cup is a testament to Japan’s determination and hard work in developing their players. It’s an exciting time for Japanese badminton, and they are definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Thai Sparkle

One of the rising stars at the World Championships was Kantaphon Wangcharoen from Thailand. At only 20 years old, Wangcharoen made it to the semifinals, defeating top players like Kidambi Srikanth and Chou Tien Chen along the way. This achievement is a testament to his talent and potential. Thailand had a successful tournament overall, with Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai securing a silver medal and Ratchanok Intanon and Wangcharoen both winning bronze medals.

FAQs

Q: Where was the TOTAL BWF World Championships held?
A: The 25th edition of the World Championships took place in Basel.

Q: Who were the standout performers at the championships?
A: Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, Pusarla V Sindhu, Kento Momota, Mayu Matsumoto, Wakana Nagahara, Zheng Si Wei, Huang Ya Qiong, and Kantaphon Wangcharoen were among the standout performers at the World Championships.

Conclusion

The TOTAL BWF World Championships in Basel showcased incredible talent, fierce competition, and historic achievements. Players from around the world displayed their skills and determination, creating unforgettable moments on the badminton court. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these exceptional athletes as they continue to inspire and entertain fans worldwide.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  Badminton in Pan America

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