Asian Championships: Kharb Emerges Star of India’s Triumph

India achieved their biggest ever women’s team moment on Sunday when they won the SELANGOR Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 beating Thailand 3-2 in the final.

The men’s team final was a one-sided affair, with China overcoming hosts Malaysia 3-0.

The Malaysians, missing their top two singles players Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong, couldn’t offer much resistance, as Leong Jun Hao and Eogene Ewe in first and second singles went down tamely to Weng Hong Yang and Lei Lan Xi respectively.

The Chinese demonstrated the depth they possessed, with world No.5 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik taken down by world No.90 Xie Hao Nan/Zeng Wei Han, with the third game one of the closest seen all year, 21-16 16-21 23-21.

The star of India’s campaign was 17-year-old Anmol Kharb. Playing only her second senior international event, Kharb saw India through after dominating the fifth match against Pornpicha Choeikeewong, 21-14 21-9.

India had had the perfect start with Pusarla V Sindhu overpowering Supanida Katethong in 39 minutes; Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela then earned a hard-fought 73-minute win over Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai.

Thailand recovered through Busanan Ongbamrungphan, who beat Ashmita Chaliha 21-11 21-14; Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard levelled at 2-2 beating Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra.

The triumphant Indian women’s team on the podium.

Kharb has had a sensational week, excelling in third singles as she helped India beat China in their group tie before she scored another pivotal victory in the semifinals over Natsuki Nidaira of Japan.

“I’m very happy that we bagged the gold medal because this is the first time India are winning the gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championships,” said the recently-crowned national champion.

“It’s a big thing because history has been scripted here. Yesterday (after semifinal win) it went crazy in India because beating powerhouses like Japan and China was such a big thing. Today it will be full-on celebration in India and in the team as well.

“I wanted to play my 100 per cent but there was no pressure on me at all. We were confident of winning the fifth match. The experience has been really good, because everyone was higher-ranked than me. I’m very happy because it’s a big achievement at 17 years old. Now I have to train harder to beat tougher opponents.”

The Badminton Asia Team Championships serves as qualifying tournament for the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2024, with the four semifinalists (men and women) guaranteed a place.

→ Full Results (Women’s)

→ Full Results (Men’s)