Singles star Unnati Hooda ecstatic as India beat South Korea in quarters to ensure historic maiden medal in team event
India’s Unnati Hooda during the BWF World Jr C’ships quarter-final against South Korea in Guwahati on Thursday. Pics/Badminton Photo
India beat South Korea 44-45, 45-30, 45-33 in a nerve-wracking quarter-final clash that lasted almost three hours to enter the semi-finals and assure themselves a maiden medal at the Suhandinata Cup — the team event of the BWF World Junior Championships — here on Thursday.
India play Indonesia on Friday for a spot in the final. India started off on the back foot as Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu went down 5-9 in the first boys doubles against Cho Hyeong Woo and Lee Hyeong Woo. In the girls doubles, Vennala K and Reshika U then beat Cheon Hye In and Moon In Seo 10-9, before Rounak Chouhan beat Choi Ah Seung 11-9. However, a 4-9 loss for C Lalramsanga and Aanya Bisht in the mixed doubles against Lee and Cheon meant that Unnati Hooda had to win 15 points before her opponent Kim Han Bi could reach nine.
The victorious Indian team celebrate after defeating South Korea at the BWF World Junior Championships in Guwahati on Thursday
Unnati began by taking a 3-0 lead, but Kim made it 6-6. Unnati then won five straight points to take India’s total tally to 44, on par with South Korea, but her serve on set point hit the net, leaving Unnati distraught.
India made two substitutions ahead of the second set with Lalramsanga replacing Gobburu in boys doubles and Vishakha Toppo coming in for Bisht. Lalramsanga-Bhargav then gave India a 9-7 win over Cho and Lee, and Vennala-Reshika extended that advantage to six points. Unnati then wrapped up the second set with India in the lead. In the third set, Lalramsanga-Bhargav gave India a 9-4 lead, but Vennala-Reshika ran out of steam after the first 10 points and Cheon-Moon put Korea ahead by two points. However, Chouhan’s 11-4 win over Choi gave India a five point lead. Lalramsanga-Bisht then increased that lead to seven points before Unnati hammered Kim 9-4 to kick-off the celebrations. “I’m glad to be able to finish this match. In the first set, I couldn’t convert after the mixed doubles change, after recovering the lead, but overall it was a good match. I’m happy that I could deliver for the team,” said Hooda.
25
No. of years it took India to win its first team medal at BWF World Jr C’ships
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