Ashmita Chaliha Makes History with Korea Masters Victory
Historic Win for Ashmita Chaliha
Ashmita Chaliha with her coach Park Tae-sang.
Guwahati, Aug 9: Assam's badminton star Ashmita Chaliha has made a remarkable mark in Indian sports by clinching the Korea Masters title, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat in the BWF Super 300 tournament. She expressed her disbelief and excitement over this significant victory, attributing her success to the guidance of her South Korean coach, Park Tae-sang.
“It feels surreal, and I’m still processing it,” Chaliha shared after her victory. The 26-year-old shuttler showcased her resilience by coming back from a game down to defeat fourth seed Han Qian Xi from China with scores of 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in the final.
Unaware of her historic achievement prior to the match, Chaliha expressed gratitude for the support she received from her fans back home, stating, “I feel blessed and am eager for more challenges ahead.”
She highlighted the importance of adjusting to the playing conditions, especially after losing the first game. “The initial set was challenging due to the drift, but I adapted in the second set, which was more favorable,” she explained.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Chaliha's career, which has been characterized by both promise and challenges. Previously, she had won titles at the Dubai International Challenge and Tata Open India International Challenge in 2018, as well as a gold medal in women's singles at the 2019 South Asian Games.
Overcoming Injuries
Chaliha's journey has not been without obstacles, as injuries have hindered her progress. A severe meniscus tear in her right knee during the 2024 Korea Open required surgery and sidelined her for several months, just as she was gaining momentum on the international stage.
Upon her return to competition this year, she resumed training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Amingaon, Assam, under the mentorship of Park Tae-sang. Their collaboration has yielded impressive results, with Chaliha reaching the semifinals of the Macau Open and the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters before her recent triumph in Korea.
Chaliha credited Park for revitalizing her approach to the game, stating, “All my credit goes to Coach Park; his support has energized me immensely.”
Park, who has been instrumental in the development of Indian badminton, praised Chaliha's dedication and hard work. “Congratulations, Ashmita! You truly deserve this moment. Keep believing, keep working, and keep dreaming bigger,” he encouraged.
Chaliha, along with other prominent Indian players, trains under Park at the NCoE, where he is nurturing the next generation of badminton talent in India.