Asian Games 2023 Badminton: Satwik-Chirag become first Indians to win gold, to become World No. 1

The WR-3 ranked men's double pair will move to the top once rankings are updated.

In a historic turn of events at the Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China, India's badminton duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, clinched the coveted gold medal in the men's doubles category. Their remarkable performance not only earned them the top position on the podium but also catapulted them to a new career-high rank of World No. 1, a significant milestone for Indian badminton.

Ranked as the world No. 3 pair at the onset of the tournament, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy etched their names in the annals of Indian sports history by securing India's first-ever badminton gold at the Asian Games 2023. Their journey to this monumental achievement was filled with thrilling moments and fierce competition.

In the highly anticipated final, they faced a formidable challenge from the Republic of Korea's Choi Sol Gyu and Kim Won Ho, a pair ranked 15th in the world. The Korean duo initially dominated the early stages and maintained a lead for most of the opening game.

However, the Indian duo showcased exceptional resilience, turning the tide when the score stood at 18-15 in favor of the Koreans. Chirag and Satwik orchestrated a brilliant comeback, scoring six consecutive points to seize the lead.

The second game witnessed a closely contested battle between the two teams, with the Indian pair holding a slim one-point advantage as they entered the mid-game break. Post-break, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy displayed their prowess, gradually distancing themselves from their opponents to secure a comfortable victory in the game, ultimately sealing the match in 57 minutes. This triumph marked India's third consecutive victory over the South Korean pair.

The path to gold included a noteworthy victory in the semi-finals against Malaysia's Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, the bronze medalists at the Tokyo Olympics. Prior to that, in the quarterfinals, Chirag and Satwiksairaj secured a medal for themselves by defeating the Singaporean pair of Nge Joo Jie and Johann Prajogo.

With this momentous win, India concluded its badminton campaign at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 with an impressive tally of three medals. Notably, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy had already contributed to the Indian men's team's silver medal earlier in the week, adding to their growing list of accolades. Additionally, HS Prannoy clinched a bronze medal in the men's singles event.

However, India's campaign in women's singles came to a halt when two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Despite Sindhu's exit, the 28-year-old had previously secured a women's singles silver medal at the 2018 Jakarta Games, marking India's best performance in Asian Games badminton prior to Hangzhou.

This historic victory by Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy undoubtedly stands as a defining moment in Indian badminton history. Their exceptional talent and unwavering dedication on the international stage have not only brought them gold but have also placed them at the pinnacle of world rankings, making them a source of immense pride for their nation.