In a spectacular feat of sporting prowess, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have catapulted to the zenith of men’s doubles badminton. Their journey to the pinnacle of the BWF rankings reads like a fairy tale, and it’s a story of unyielding determination, teamwork, and a golden glow that emanated from the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Indian duo has now etched their names in the annals of history, securing the coveted title of being the best men’s doubles team on the planet for the very first time. A triumph that’s as breath-taking as their swift smashes and nimble footwork.
The blazing trail to world domination commenced right after they clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. The final saw them dispatching South Korea’s formidable duo, Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho, in straight games, a performance that will be remembered as the dawn of a new era for Indian badminton.
A victory at the Asian Games is always special, but Shetty and Rankireddy’s conquest went further. It marked India’s maiden gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games, setting the bar sky-high for future generations of players.
In the latest BWF rankings update, the Indian pairing soared two places to the summit, surpassing the Indonesian duo of Alfian Fajar and Ardianto Muhammad Rian as well as the formidable Chinese combination of Wei Keng Lian and Chang Wang.
Currently, Shetty and Rankireddy boast an impressive 92,411 ranking points, eclipsing the 90,129 points earned by the Indonesians and the 89,991 points held by the Chinese challengers. This speaks to their consistent dominance on the world stage, and their elevation to world number one is a testament to their sustained brilliance.
What makes this achievement all the more extraordinary is the fact that it comes after a 41-year hiatus. The last Indian men’s doubles pair to medal at an Asian Games were Leroy D’sa and Pradeep Gandhe, who secured a bronze in 1982. Shetty and Rankireddy have revived that legacy, breathing life into a dormant chapter in Indian badminton history.
But this is not just a standalone achievement; it’s a shining jewel in their already dazzling crown. These two young stars first captured our hearts by becoming the first Indians to win the Asian Championships in 58 years back in March. Their exploits continued with a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the 2022 Thomas Cup title, and a bronze at the 2022 World Championships. The journey has been nothing short of spectacular, and they’ve solidified their place among badminton’s elite.
As we marvel at the ascent of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy to the pinnacle of the BWF rankings, we can’t help but anticipate more brilliance from these young guns. Their journey, riddled with gold and studded with milestones, has just begun.