Satwik and Chirag can beat any rival, says Coach Boe
Coach Boe asserts Satwik and Chirag can defeat any opponent
Danish coach Mathias Boe expressed strong confidence in Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's ability to compete at their best in the Paris Olympics. Boe emphasized that when the duo plays at their 100%, they are incredibly difficult to beat. “If everyone hits their 100 percent, I feel we are the best in the world. That’s the advantage we have, of being us, that we can actually trust and have the confidence that we are the best pair,” Boe remarked. He noted that while this doesn’t guarantee victory, it provides a strong foundation of self-belief.
Favorable draw and strong record
Rankireddy and Shetty, ranked third in the world, arrived in Paris with excitement, exploring the Games Village, their home for the next couple of weeks. Unlike their previous Olympics in Tokyo, they enter the Paris Arena as one of India's top medal prospects. Their group includes Indonesia’s reigning All England champions Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel, and Frenchmen Ronan Labar/Lucas Corvee. The top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
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The duo boasts a strong record, having a 3-2 advantage against the Indonesians and having won the last three encounters. They are also unbeaten against the German and French pairs. This year, Rankireddy and Shetty have performed exceptionally well, reaching four finals and winning two of them, maintaining a 23-6 win-loss record.
Health and versatility
Rankireddy’s health had been a concern, but Boe assured that he is now in perfect shape. Initially thought to be a shoulder issue, it was a lower back problem that had been bothering him. Boe emphasized that Rankireddy's net game is strong and that both players can adapt to playing in front or back positions, making them a versatile pair.
Boe believes the pair can extend India’s Olympic badminton success, following the medals won by Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu in previous Games. He highlighted the importance of handling pressure and focusing on their performance rather than relying on opponents' mistakes. “We are aware of the conditions and what it takes… They have performed many times before too where there were expectations. They are relaxed and are ready for the challenge,” Boe concluded.
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