Badminton Asia Championships: Assam’s Ashmita stuns fmr World Champion, India reaches finals

In her semi final match, Ashmita defeated Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in straight sets

India is staring at another iconic achievement in the field of sport, as Team India has reached the finals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia.

And, Assam too has a reason to cheer for as ace shuttler from the state Ashmita Chaliha continued her dominance in the court at the mega sporting event. To make things even better just ahead of the summit clash, Ashmita who is World Number 55, shocked former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in straight sets of 21-17 and 21-14 in the semi final match.

Prior to this, in the quarter-final stage Ashmita showcased exceptional skills to defeat Yeung Sum Yee of Hong Kong China in straight games 21-12,21-13.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who is also the President of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has congratulated Ashmita for her success.

In a post on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “An incredible achievement for the Indian Women’s Badminton Team!
Congratulations to Ashmita Chaliha and Anmol Kharb for their outstanding victories against top-ranked opponents. You have created history by reaching the finals of the #BadmintonAsiaTeamChampionships for the first time.
A proud moment, indeed!
@BAI_Media
@Media_SAI”

An incredible achievement for the Indian Women's Badminton Team!

Congratulations to Ashmita Chaliha and Anmol Kharb for their outstanding victories against top-ranked opponents. You have created history by reaching the finals of the #BadmintonAsiaTeamChampionships for the… pic.twitter.com/pWJIrPJe2o

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 17, 2024

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) shared about Ashmita’s victory immediately after she stunned former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara.

“Ashmita gets the better of former world champion to put #TeamIndia in lead 🤩✅,” the BAI wrote in it’s post on X.

Ashmita gets the better of former world champion to put #TeamIndia in lead 🤩✅#BATC2024#IndiaontheRise#Badminton pic.twitter.com/JravS07hC3

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) February 17, 2024

India began their campaign in Selangor by stunning top seeds China in the group stage before blanking Hong Kong China 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

India suffered a big setback as PV Sindhu, World No. 11, lost to Aya Ohori in straight games in the first match of the semi-final tie against Japan.

But India’s young shuttlers never gave up and instead focused right on the game to defeat their opponents.

In the Doubles category, Gayatri Gopichand and Jolly Treesa played with sheer grit and determination against Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida 21-17, 16-21, 22-20 to level the semi-final tie at 1-1.

Then came the big shock of the semi-final as 24-year-old Ashmita Chaliha, World No. 55, stunned former World No. 1 and former world champion Nozomi Okuhara to give India a 2-1 lead.

India had the opportunity to wrap up the semi-final in the fourth match, but the doubles pair of PV Sindhu and Ashwini Ponnappa lost to Japan’s Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto 14-21, 11-21 in straight games.

And soon 17-year old Anmol Kharb took it upon herself to give India the taste of victory in the deciding match.

Ranked 472 in the world, Anmol kept her cool and succeeded in defeating World No. 29 Natsuki Nidaira 21-14, 21-18 in 52 minutes.

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