Team Championships for badminton in Asia: 17-year-old Anmol Kharb becomes a superstar as India defeats Japan to go to the first-ever final
Shah Alam: The Indian women’s team surprised two-time previous winners Japan 3-2 in an exciting semifinal on Saturday, extending their incredible run at the Badminton Asia Team Championships by securing a spot in their first-ever final. On Sunday, Thailand and India will compete in the final. India got off to a great start in the five-game match as Ashmita Chaliha, ranked 53, and Treesa Jolly, ranked 23, both registered incredible victories to give India a 2-0 lead. But unlike in the quarterfinal, PV Sindhu was unable to duplicate her performance as she lost 13-21, 20-22, against left-handed Aya Ohori.
Due to an injury, Tanisha Crasto was unable to play. As a result, Sindhu teamed up with Ashwini Ponnappa, but they were defeated 14-21, 11-21, in 43 minutes by Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto, ranked No. 11 in the world. At that time, the score was knotted at 2-2, and Anmol Kharb, then 17 years old, had the biggest duty.
The Indian lived up to the hype as she defeated Natsuki Nidaira, ranked 29th in the world, 21-14, 21-18, in 52 minutes. India’s prospects of taking home the continental championship gold for the first time are maintained by their final participation. In the men’s team competition, India took home two bronze medals in 2016 and 2020.
Earlier, in a 73-minute match, Treesa and Gayatri turned in a masterful display to defeat world No. 6 Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida 21–17, 16–21, 22–20. Left-handed Ashmita played an aggressive game against world No. 20 Nozomi Okuhara, the former world champion, making full use of her overhead cross drops and jump smashes to earn an astonishing 21-17, 21-14 victory.
Even missing their top players—Akane Yamaguchi at No. 4, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota at No. 7, and Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara at No. 8—Japan remained a strong opponent, making it a difficult match for India. India advanced to the semi-finals after blanking Hong Kong 3-0 on Friday. Indian women defeated China to win Group W earlier.
