New Delhi: India concluded the BWF World Junior Championship with a first-ever bronze medal in the mixed-team competition after crashing out in the semi-final clash against Indonesia on Friday, October 10. The defending champions didn’t give the hosts a single chance and defeated them in straight sets.
Indonesia were one of the favourites to win the tournament and did the same with a thumping victory over India, 35-45, 21-45. However, this was India’s historic campaign, as they secured their first medal in the mixed-team competition in the championship.
Vishakha Toppo replaced Aanya Bisht in the mixed doubles; otherwise, India were unchanged in the semi-final. Bhargav Ram Arigela and Biswa Tej Gobburu gave India a perfect start as they took an early lead by defeating Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok and Raihan Daffa Pramono 9-5.
Unnati Hooda wasn’t at her best but kept India ahead of the two games at 18-16. The game turned firmly after world junior no. 1 boys singles Mohd Ubaidillah defeated Rounak Chouhan 11-5 and put his side ahead with four points.
Lalramsanga and Vishakha kept hopes alive by taking the lead 9-3, but Indonesia’s Ikhsan Pramudya and Rinjani Nastine fought back and closed the game at 10-9. The combination of Nastine and Riska Anggraini closed out the final game 9-2 and wrapped up the set 45-35.
It was the defending champions’ show in the second set, and India didn’t close the gap and were beaten in straight sets in the first semi-final. Indonesia will take on the winner of the China and Japan clash in the second semi-final.
The combination of Mubarrok and Pramono were high on confidence from the start and took down the Indian boys 9-2 in the first game of the second set. After that, Unnation went down 7-9 against Wiryawan and followed with Rounak’s defeat against Ubaidillah 7-9.
Indonesia’s lead reached double digits after three games in the second set, which was a big ask for the Indians, and they subsequently lost the game 21-45 in the final set.