New Delhi: Star Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has confirmed his place in the final of the World Badminton Championship. He has become the first Indian male player to do so. In Saturday’s semi-final, Srikanth defeated compatriot Lakshya Sen 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 to reach the final.
Srikanth is the third Indian player to play the final of this tournament. Before him, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal have played the final of this tournament. After confirming his place in the final, he has become at least a silver medal contender.
AND HE DID IT 😍@srikidambi became first ever 🇮🇳 Male shuttler to enter final at #WorldCh Championships after defeating compatriot kslakshya_sen in a thrilling all Indian semifinal 💥
Well done both of you 👏#BWFWorldChampionships2021#IndiaontheRise#Badminton pic.twitter.com/s9gHc0SwpE
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) December 18, 2021
In the beginning of this match both the players were running on equal footing, but later Lakshya took the lead and won the first game 21-17. Srikanth then made a comeback in the second set to register a 21-14 win. In the third set as well, both the players were tied in the beginning but later Srikanth showed a great game to win the set 21-17 and made it to the final.
Let us inform that, both Srikanth and Lakshya had reached the semi-finals of this tournament for the first time. In such a situation, Lakshya is the fourth Indian male player to achieve such a feat. Before him, Prakash Padukone has achieved this feat in the year 1983, B Sai Praneeth in the year 2019 and Srikanth in the same year. Lakshya has become the youngest male player to win a medal at the BWF World Championships.
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It is to be known that with these two medals, India has so far won a total of 12 medals in this tournament. Apart from Prakash, Sai Praneeth, Srikanth and Lakshya, PV Sindhu has won five medals. At the same time, Saina Nehwal has two medals in her name. The pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the bronze medal in 2011.