India Make History At BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships! Win First-Ever...

India’s commendable performance at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships concluded with a bronze medal after a tough semifinal loss to defending champions Indonesia on Friday.

After securing a historic

first-ever medal in the mixed team competition with a quarterfinal victory over former champions Korea on Thursday, India couldn’t maintain the momentum and lost 35-45, 21-45 to the pre-tournament favourites.

Indonesia will next face the winner of the other semifinal between 14-time champions China and Japan.

How India Lost To Indonesia?

India made just one change to the squad that beat Korea on Wednesday, substituting Vishakha Toppo for Aanya Bisht in the mixed doubles, while once again starting the tie with the boys’ doubles category.

The top Indian doubles combination of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu provided a perfect start as they defeated Indonesia’s Muhmmad Rizki Mubarrok and Raihan Daffa Pramono 9-5, raising hopes for an upset.

Unnati Hooda struggled in the girls’ singles tie against Thalita Wiryawan in the first set but managed to keep India’s lead at 18-16.

Indonesia’s world junior number one boys’ singles player Mohd Ubaidillah turned the tide for his team by beating Rounak Chouhan 11-5, giving his team a four-point advantage.

The mixed doubles combination of Lalramsanga and Vishakha Toppo sparked hopes of a comeback by drawing level at 28-28 and then leading 9-3. However, the Indonesian duo of Ikhsan Pramudya and Rinjani Nastine raised their game at the break and closed the match 10-9, reclaiming the initiative.

Nastine then partnered with Riska Anggraini to defeat Reshika U and Vennala K 9-2, wrapping up the set 45-35.

Indonesia seized control of the second set from the start, with Mubarrok and Pramono defeating the Indian boys’ combination 9-2.

With Unnati losing 7-9 to Wiryawan and Rounak falling 7-9 to Ubaidillah, it became too challenging for the doubles combinations to bridge the gap.

Indian players will now prepare for the individual championship starting on Monday.

(With inputs from PTI)