Indian badminton player HS Prannoy secured the bronze medal in the men’s singles category at the prestigious BWF World Badminton Championships 2023. Despite a valiant effort, Prannoy was eliminated in the semi-finals that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark on Saturday. His remarkable journey in the tournament showcased his skill and determination on the international stage.
A Tough Match Against Kunlavut Vitidsarn
World No. 9 HS Prannoy faced a formidable challenge in the semi-finals as he went head-to-head with Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, ranked third in the badminton world. The intense match stretched over one hour and 16 minutes at the Royal Arena. Prannoy fought valiantly but was eventually edged out by his Thai counterpart with a scoreline of 21-18, 13-21, 14-21.
A Historic Achievement
The 31-year-old HS Prannoy etched his name in Indian badminton history by becoming only the fifth Indian men’s singles player to clinch a medal at the BWF World Badminton Championships. Among his compatriots, Kidambi Srikanth remains the sole player to reach the men’s singles final, achieving this feat in 2021.
Below is the list of five Indian male singles players who have secured a medal at the World Championships.
Sno | Player | Medal |
---|---|---|
1 | Kidambi Srikanth | Silver |
2 | Lakshya Sen | Bronze |
3 | B Sai Praneeth | Bronze |
4 | Prakash Padukone | Bronze |
5 | HS Prannoy | Bronze |
A Memorable Journey
HS Prannoy’s journey to the semi-finals was nothing short of remarkable. In the quarter-finals, he pulled off a stunning upset (refers to the situation when the team or individual anticipated to win is beaten) by defeating Danish Olympic and defending world champion Viktor Axelsen. This victory guaranteed Prannoy his first-ever BWF World Championships medal and contributed to India’s overall tally of 14 medals in the world championships.
Key takeaways for competitive examinations
- President of Badminton World Federation: Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen
- Headquarters of Badminton World Federation: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia