After a prolonged wait, Dinesh Khanna, former national badminton player, finally saw his dream come true when Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the men’s doubles gold medal at the Asian Badminton Championship. The pair put up a stellar performance and overcame the top-seeded Chinese duo to clinch the title.
Khanna, who had represented India at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, has been closely associated with Satwik and Chirag since their junior days. He had coached them during their formative years, and it was a moment of immense pride for him as he saw his students achieve such a remarkable feat.
Speaking to the media after the match, Khanna expressed his joy and satisfaction at the success of his protégés. He remarked that it was a long wait but the victory had made everything worthwhile. He also praised the young duo for their dedication, hard work and perseverance and hoped that they would continue to bring pride and glory to the country in the future.
The victory by Satwik and Chirag was a historic one as it was the first time an Indian men’s doubles pair had won a gold medal at the Asian Badminton Championship. It was also the first major international title for the duo, who have been making waves in the badminton world with their impressive performances.
The win is a testament to the talent and potential of Indian badminton players and the hard work put in by the coaches and support staff. Khanna’s contribution to Indian badminton cannot be overstated, and his students’ victory is a reflection of his dedication and commitment to the sport. The success of Satwik and Chirag has given a much-needed boost to Indian badminton and has inspired a new generation of players to aim for greatness.