India’s badminton stars PV Sindhu, Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly, and 17-year-old Anmol Kharb made history on Sunday by defeating Thailand to win the inaugural Badminton Asia Team Championships. The nail-biting finals saw several ups and downs for India, as the team first took a 2-0 lead until Thailand rallied to even the score at 2-2, necessitating a decisive final game.
Anmol Kharb, India’s rising talent, demonstrated her abilities in the last match, winning once more and claiming the famous title for India in a historic fashion.
PV Sindhu, India’s two-time Olympic medalist, got the team off to a strong start after returning from a four-month injury layoff. The former world champion regained her aggressive form, using her power and precise shot placement to defeat the world’s 17th-ranked player, Supanida Katethong, 21-12, 21-12 in the first singles match, giving India a 1-0 lead in the competition.
With the match tied at 2-2, Anmol once again took on the critical role of clinching India’s victory. She completed this aim by providing a commanding performance in the crucial third singles match, defeating the 45th-ranked player in the world, Pornpicha Choeikeewong, 21-14, 21-9.
Following her triumph, the entire team gathered in unity to celebrate Anmol’s outstanding win at the Setia City Convention Center, forming a huddle to lift her spirits and commemorate the momentous achievement.
“I’m very happy that we bagged the gold medal because this is the first time India has won the gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championships,” Anmol Kharb said after the match.
