HS Prannoy claims bronze at Badminton World Championships

HS Prannoy's impressive journey at the World Championships concluded as he secured a bronze medal in the men's singles category. Despite facing a tough opponent, world number 3 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, Prannoy's performance added to India's remarkable streak of having at least one medallist in the tournament since 2011. This achievement places Prannoy in the esteemed company of Indian men's singles players who have earned a World Championships medal.

Semi-final loss to Vitidsarn

In a thrilling semi-final match, the 31-year-old Prannoy initially held an advantage by winning the opening game. However, he couldn't maintain his momentum, allowing Vitidsarn, a three-time former world junior champion, to mount a comeback. Despite Prannoy's early lead of 5-1 in the second game, Vitidsarn displayed superior defensive and offensive skills, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory with a score of 18-21, 21-13, 21-14. This victory marked Vitidsarn's second consecutive appearance in the World Championships final.

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Historic achievement for Prannoy

While Prannoy faced disappointment in the semi-finals, his bronze medal win is a significant milestone. He becomes only the fifth Indian men's singles player to earn a World Championships medal, joining the ranks of Kidambi Srikanth (silver), Lakshya Sen (bronze), B Sai Praneeth (bronze), and Prakash Padukone (bronze).

India's impressive World Championships Record

India has consistently showcased its prowess at the World Championships, boasting a rich history of medallists. In addition to the achievements in men's singles, women's singles players like PV Sindhu (including a gold in 2019) and Saina Nehwal (silver and bronze) have also contributed significantly. Furthermore, doubles pairs like Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa (bronze in 2011) and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (bronze in 2022) have added to India's medal count.

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Challenging Clash 

Prannoy's path to the semi-finals was marked by a stunning victory over Olympic gold medallist Viktor Axelsen. However, in the semi-final against Vitidsarn, Prannoy appeared to struggle with his defense and lacked consistency in his attacks, which contributed to his defeat. Signs of exhaustion became apparent, possibly due to the strenuous three-game matches he played in the preceding days.