HS Prannoy Celebrates Indian Men's Badminton Team's Bronze at Asian Games 2026

Indian Men's Badminton Team Achieves Bronze Medal

Following the Indian men's badminton team's bronze medal achievement at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, HS Prannoy expressed that this accomplishment reflects the team's consistency and will significantly boost players' confidence as they prepare for their singles matches.

Semi-Final Match Overview

The Indian team secured a bronze medal after facing a 3-1 defeat against China in the semi-finals held in Aichi, Japan, on Wednesday. The only victory for India came from Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who triumphed over the reigning world champions Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang with scores of 21-11, 22-20 in the men's doubles event.

Prannoy's Reflections on the Medal

In an interview, Prannoy expressed his joy, stating, "I am extremely happy. It is tough to secure medals at consecutive Asian Games, as I was part of the silver-winning team in 2022. While I am disappointed we couldn't advance further, it's crucial to celebrate this bronze medal. Before the 2023 Asian Games, we had never won a team medal, but we achieved silver in Hangzhou and now bronze here, showcasing our team's consistency. I am pleased with our performance this week."

Impact on Singles Competitions

When asked about the influence of the team medal on the players' singles competitions, Prannoy affirmed that it serves as a "confidence booster." He noted, "Winning a medal in the team event definitely boosts confidence. The players have experienced several intense matches, which helps them get into tournament mode. This is a positive start for the players, and I hope they carry this momentum into the individual events, leading to more medals."

Dedication to Support Staff

Prannoy dedicated the medal to the team's support staff, acknowledging their hard work and commitment. He mentioned, "I want to dedicate this medal to the entire support staff. They work tirelessly to ensure we are in peak physical and mental condition. As for our celebration, we plan to have lunch together today, which will be our way of celebrating this year's achievement."