BWF World Junior Championships: India secured historic mixed team medal; Unnati Hooda shines | Badminton News – The Times of India

The Indian team seemed destined for an encore in the 2008 semi-finals against China when Unnati Hooda – after winning five straight points with some spectacular long rallies against Korean Cheon Hye In and making up lost ground – lost the opening set by netting serve 44-45.But unlike their defeat in the bronze medal match 17 years ago, the Indians put on a memorable fight – fueled by crowd support at the National Center of Excellence in Guwahati – and sailed through the next two sets with determination to inflict defeat on the higher-ranked Koreans to ensure India their first-ever medal in the Mixed Team event on Thursday of the BWF Junior World Championships.It was some smart tactical changes in the men’s doubles – with Mizo talent C Lalramsanga coming on for Viswa Tej Gobburu – that worked in the hosts’ favor in the final two sets. The promising Lalramsanga also performed in the mixed doubles – with both Vishakha Toppo and Aanya Bisht. And with Rounak Chouhan holding the fort in the men’s singles, it was Hooda’s chance to shine in the women’s singles.The 18-year-old came in for her final match in the next two sets, this time with her team in the lead, and calmly took the final step towards making history for India with a 44-45, 45-30, 45-33 win.“I’m happy that I was able to finish this match. In the first set I couldn’t convert after the substitution in the mixed doubles, after regaining the lead. But I’m happy that I was able to deliver for the team,” Hooda said after the match.They now play Friday’s semi-final against defending champion Indonesia, which defeated Chinese Taipei 45-35, 45-35.“United did a great job. And I think the MVP of the match might be Sanga (Lalramsanga). Being united brings that kind of energy and belief to the team,” Indian doubles coach Ivan Sozonov told TOI after the win.While Vennala Kalagotla and Tanvi Sharma were selected straight after their bronze medal performance at the Asia Junior Individual Championships in July, the rest of the 23 in the provisional squad were selected through trials.The historic bronze medal was the highlight of the final preparation camp of the last twenty junior shuttlers at the NVU since September for the championships. The young people – twelve of whom train at NCE all year round – followed a curfew and limited screen time to stay focused and it paid off in their show on Thursday.

But the stakes have only gotten higher as the defending mixed team champions await them in the final four stages.“We can easily beat Indonesia. Easy, 2-0. We have the best singles players in India, we also have number 31 in women’s singles in the world (in Hooda). We have Sanga (Laramsanga), the women’s doubles team, and a positive spirit among the home crowd. So without a doubt, only win,” assured the confident Russian doubles coach before signing off.