India earn direct qualification to Sudirman Cup 2023 after reaching Asia Mixed Team C'ships semis

The badminton team also secured its first-ever medal in the ongoing tournament.

India earned a direct qualification to the Sudirman Cup 2023 after reaching the semi-finals of the ongoing Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023. The Indian badminton team beat Hong Kong 3-2 in the quarter-final to script history and advance to the semis for the first time in the tournament's history. With the victory, India also assured themselves a first-ever medal in the Championships since its inception in 2017.

They had reached the quarter-finals in the inaugural edition of the Asia Mixed Team Championships, but were beaten 2-3 by Thailand in the last eight stage. Having reached the semi-finals in the ongoing edition, India also directly qualified for the Sudirman Cup 2023, to be held in China later this year.

Full list of countries qualified for the Sudirman Cup 2023

Host - China

Asia - Korea, Thailand, Japan, and India.

Europe - Denmark, England, France, and Germany

Rankings - Indonesia, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Singapore

Africa - Egypt

Pan America and Oceania - TBD (To be Decided)

Sudirman Cup 2023 format

A total of 16 countries will be taking part in the prestigious event. Korea, Japan, and Thailand had already booked their places in the Sudirman Cup. Now India by the virtue of beating Hong Kong claimed the last spot from Asia. Egypt will be making their maiden appearance at the Sudirman Cup while China gets an automatic entry as host.

Denmark and France qualified for the final of the 2023 European mixed Badminton Championships. The final of the tournament will take place later today (February 18). England and Germany lost in the semi-finals but progressed by the virtue of qualifying for the semis. Oceania and Pan America are awarded one quota place each.

The 2023 Sudirman Cup will take place from 14-21 May in Suzhou, China. The host nation is the most successful team in the tournament's history, winning the championships a record 12 time. They are followed by South Korea (4), and Indonesia (1). China has won eight titles in the last 10 editions and has been the most dominant side. 

Earlier BAI (Badminton Association of India) expressed interest to host the event if China decides to pull out due to COVID-19 related issues. India successfully hosted the BWF 750 India Open in January 2023 and is hopeful of hosting the Sudirman Cup as well in case China pull out. There is no prize money in Sudirman Cup. Players play for their respective countries to earn BWF World Ranking points and for national prestige.