New Delhi hosts World Championships semi-final with enthusiastic crowd support
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand achieved a landmark for Indian badminton, securing a women’s doubles medal at the World Championships. Their journey concluded in the semi-finals, where they faced Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, the world No. 1 and defending champions. The match, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, saw the Indian pair lose 21-18, 13-21, 8-21.
This bronze medal marks a significant moment for Indian badminton, as it is the first women’s doubles medal at the BWF World Championships since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved the same feat in London in 2011. The accomplishment places Treesa and Gayatri among an exclusive group of Indian players who have reached the podium at the World Championships.
A Memorable Campaign and Recognition
Following their semi-final match, Treesa Jolly expressed her happiness about joining this distinguished group of medalists. She viewed this achievement as merely the beginning of a longer journey for the duo. Treesa also acknowledged the support system behind them, mentioning plans to celebrate with their team.
The recognition for the pair was further amplified by the announcement of their Arjuna Award earlier in the week. Treesa indicated that this news provided an additional boost during the tournament. Despite the semi-final loss, she reflected positively on their overall campaign, describing it as an amazing week filled with significant upsets and valuable experiences.
Gayatri Gopichand noted the mental toll of their previous intense match, which made the semi-final challenging despite a strong start. She explained that while they began the match feeling fresh in the first set, the mental fatigue from earlier rounds could still impact performance. Treesa also highlighted the role of confidence and luck in crucial moments of a match.
Enthusiastic Home Crowd Support
The semi-final match against the Chinese top seeds was played in front of a fervent home crowd at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The venue, which had been largely quiet throughout the week, was bustling with spectators eager to witness the BWF World Championships. The atmosphere inside the stadium was described as intense, matching the energy of the full crowd.
Fans displayed posters with messages such as “Together we rise higher” and “Two rackets. One Dream. One Nation.” Throughout the 64-minute contest, the crowd vocally supported the Indian team, with chants like “C’mon Pullela!” and “Jolly Jolly” erupting when points were scored. Calls of “Maar! Maar na!” were heard when smash opportunities arose.
The crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable, with collective moans and “Noooos!” accompanying points won by the Chinese opponents. Dr. Harshil, a spectator who traveled from Vadodara, exemplified the dedication of the fans, having bought tickets weeks in advance and taking an overnight train to attend. He noted the happy coincidence of witnessing India win a medal for the 12th consecutive edition of the tournament.
Even as the Chinese pair began to take a lead in the second set and the Indian players made more errors, the crowd’s intensity grew louder, matching the defiance shown by Treesa and Gayatri on the court. Dhols, placed in the second tier of the stadium, contributed to the vibrant atmosphere. However, as the Chinese team continued to dominate in the third set, and the Indian players’ intensity waned, some spectators began to leave. The venue, which had previously been subject to criticism during the India Open in January, was noted for creating a memorable atmosphere for the World Championships semi-final.
Source: theprint.in
