Punjab Newsline : Sports
Indian badminton pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand created history at the World Championships by securing a bronze medal in women’s doubles. Although the Indian duo lost their semifinal against defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China, their semifinal appearance assured them of a historic medal. It is India’s first women’s doubles medal at the World Championships in 15 years. The last Indian pair to achieve the feat was Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who won bronze in 2011.
Treesa and Gayatri made a strong start in the semifinal, winning the opening game 21-18 against the top-seeded Chinese pair. However, Liu and Tan responded strongly and took control of the match. The Chinese duo won the second game 21-13 before dominating the deciding game 21-8 to seal their place in the final.
Despite the semifinal defeat, Gayatri remained extremely proud of the team’s campaign. Reflecting on their journey, she described it as an “amazing journey”. The Indian pair had entered the tournament after facing several challenges, with Treesa’s ankle injury keeping her away from competitive action for nearly three months.
Their return at the Philippines Challenge helped the pair regain confidence and momentum. Gayatri said their main focus going into the World Championships was to believe in themselves and maintain their confidence. The momentum gained in the Philippines played an important role in their strong performance at the prestigious tournament.
The Indian duo defeated combinations from Spain and the United States in the early rounds before producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament in the quarterfinals. Treesa and Gayatri defeated China’s fourth-seeded Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian to secure their place on the podium.
According to Gayatri, the quarterfinal victory was the result of following their game plan and remaining patient throughout the contest. The pair entered the match without putting pressure on themselves or carrying any major expectations, allowing them to play with freedom and confidence.
The Indians also pushed the defending champions hard in the semifinal. Treesa’s energetic presence on court and her constant vocal support proved to be a major source of confidence for Gayatri. She praised her partner’s energy and said Treesa’s presence on court was a major strength for the pair.
The achievement became even more special because of the strong support from the spectators. Gayatri said she was surprised to see the stadium packed and welcomed the growing popularity and recognition of badminton in India.
For Treesa and Gayatri, the bronze medal represents much more than a place on the podium. It is the result of a remarkable comeback after injuries, renewed confidence, disciplined performances and their ability to compete against some of the world’s strongest pairs.
Reflecting on the achievement, Gayatri said the campaign was filled with happiness, emotion and pride. The historic bronze has now added a new chapter to Indian women’s badminton and given the country its first World Championships women’s doubles medal in 15 years.
