Badminton News

India's Pramod Bhagat poses with his three medals won at the Japan Para Badminton International 2025. (PHOTO: Pramod Bhagat via X)

Pramod Bhagat and the art of not giving up: How former Paralympics champion shuttler bounced back from anti-doping ban

November 17, 2025 18:08 IST

After missing the Paris Paralympics as he was serving suspension, Bhagat is now back in the top 5 of singles in para badminton's SL-3 category.

Moving away from the usual requirement of wearing official sponsor's shoes, was odd but entirely justified given An Se-Young had expressed discomfort with the allotted shoes. (Badminton Photo)

Modern Cinderella tale – featuring An Se-young and a shoe that fits snuglySubscriber Only

November 16, 2025 08:52 IST

At a National Assembly hearing on September 24, a photo of An Se-young's blistered feet was shared, and the BKA President swung into action to get the strict terms mandated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, revised.

File image of Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen. (PHOTO: BAI)

Kumamoto Masters Super 500: Lakshya Sen knocked out in semifinals by local favourite Kenta Nishimoto

November 16, 2025 01:20 IST

Lakshya, the 2021 World Championship bronze medallist, came into the match with a 3-2 head-to-head lead but had lost their previous encounter at the Indonesia Masters earlier this year

In the end, it was Lakshya who prevailed in straight games 21-13 21-17 in 40 minutes to reach the semifinals. (BAI)

Kumamoto Japan Masters: Lakshya Sen powers past former world champion Loh Kean Yew in straight games to reach semis

November 14, 2025 18:39 IST

On Saturday, Sen takes on another higher-ranked player against whom he has a positive record, Japan's Kenta Nishimoto

File image of Indian singles shuttler Lakshya Sen. (Photo courtesy: BAI)

Japan Masters: Lakshya Sen reaches quarterfinal; HS Prannoy bows out

November 13, 2025 22:29 IST

Lakshya, seeded seventh here, prevailed over world No. 20 Teh 21-13 21-11 in a 39-minute contest.

Why China’s National Games loom large always, on international badmintonSubscriber Only

November 9, 2025 08:59 IST

For some like Chen Yufei who failed to qualify for the World Tour Finals, despite six Tour titles this season, these National Games are the week to 'peak' for, representing Zhejiang province alongside men's doubles star Wang Chang.

PV Sindhu’s tribute to retiring Tai Tzu-ying: ‘I hated playing you; your wristwork, your deception, your calm brilliance made me dig deeper than I ever imagined’

November 8, 2025 07:46 IST

Considered one of the most graceful players to have played the sport, the former world No 1 in women's singles Tai Tzu-ying confirmed her retirement from badminton; Sindhu, Marin and Intanon paid their tributes.

Tai Tzu-ying needed neither the Olympic gold nor a World Championship title to contend for the tag of the sport's greatest artist of all time. (Reuters Photo)

Badminton star Tai Tzu-ying confirms retirement: We lived to witness the fairytale era, watching the shuttle do tricks in a starry sky

November 8, 2025 08:03 IST

Not many understood the dazzle of the disguises she dropped, a banger a minute, on some occasions. It was breathtaking and could turn every player and her diehard fans - hell bent on beating her - into Swiss neutrals.

In a chat show five years ago, Sindhu, Jemimah and Mandhana would once go from frivolous to fiendishly serious topics. (Reuters/PTI)

When Sindhu taught Jemimah, Smriti to deal with the Indian woman athlete’s biggest challenge: OpinionsSubscriber Only

November 3, 2025 00:21 IST

On the eve of their cricket World Cup final, Jemi and Smriti ought to replay their carefree, conversation from 2019, with the then freshly minted badminton World champion, who spoke of pressure of elite athletes amidst girly giggles and grit

Hylo Open Super 500 badminton: Lakshya, Shriyanshi, Shankar beat higher-ranked players to enter second round

October 30, 2025 00:20 IST

Lakshya, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, who reached the finals at the Hong Kong Open, defeated higher-ranked Christo Popov 21-16 22-20 in the opening round.

Former World champion and Olympic medallist, Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara

How Nozomi Okuhara changed ‘undeniable fact of being short statured’, and still rose to be badminton world champion, beating Sindhu

October 27, 2025 20:26 IST

The Japanese shuttler (155 cms) had defeated the Indian (179 cms) in the World's final of 2017, the most memorable Women's singles final, but recalls her struggles of growing up as the smallest person and the curse of being March-born in Japan where academic cut-offs start in April.

File image of Indian badminton ace PV Sindhu. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

PV Sindhu withdraws from all badminton tour events for 2025 due to foot injury

October 27, 2025 13:29 IST

Sindhu's team emphasized that this break, while temporary, will only strengthen her resolve and readiness for future challenges, including key tournaments in the lead-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Okuhara shredded the challenge of Indian youngster, Devika Sihag, winning the Super 100 final 21-11, 21-9 in 35 minutes. (X)

Nozomi Okuhara fighting her way back; downs tall Indian Devika Sihag at Indonesian Super 100

October 26, 2025 13:26 IST

The former World champion, continued her comeback, with back to back Super 100 titles after Malaysia last week, this time beating the Indian 21-11, 21-9.

Koki Watanabe bounces around the court and has a whiplash kill. (Instagam/Japan Society)

Curious case of Koki Watanabe, the shortest badminton player in men’s Top 100, a challenger with tall dreamsSubscriber Only

October 26, 2025 08:22 IST

Like Akane Yamaguchi, Koki has stellar footwork and court coverage. His defense is Japanese - thorough, fuss-free, quick and worthy of reel extracts. He bounces around the court and has a whiplash kill.

Meena Sharma (left), a physical education teacher, took it upon herself to turn badminton coach for her children, ensuring 16-year-old Tanvi ended up with a podium finish at the World Junior Championships in Guwahati. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

How Hoshiarpur’s Meena Sharma raised a World Junior finalist shuttler Tanvi

October 24, 2025 10:15 IST

Meena, who played cricket, badminton and volleyball in college, was keen on an individual sport for her daughters.

Indian shuttlers Satwik-Chirag in action. (PHOTO: FILE IMAGE/BAI)

French Open Super 750: Satwik-Chirag suffer a surprise early exit at one of their favourite events; Unnati Hooda fights back to reach R16

October 22, 2025 23:51 IST

It marks the first time Satwik and Chirag have lost this early at their favourite tournament on tour, an event that they have won twice in the past in 2022 and 2024, while also reaching the final in 2019 in what was one of their earliest breakthrough weeks.

Tanvi Sharma, after World Juniors loss – ‘I’m inspired by Sindhu di to overcome setbacks and turn silver to gold’

October 20, 2025 10:59 IST

Insufficient tournament endurance sees the Indian struggle to find her rhythm against talented Thai, as her attack comes undone.

Mizo shuttler C Lalramsanga (extreme left) in picture. (Photo: Special Arrangement)

Can a painfully-shy Mizo shuttler, who resists social media, bounce back after missing out on a mixed doubles medal?Subscriber Only

October 19, 2025 08:16 IST

C Lalramsanga from Durtlang, where football is the main sport, stuck to doubles on the insistence of his father, a state-level player

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty

Denmark Open Super 750: How Satwik-Chirag came short in a rollercoaster semifinal against Hoki-Kobayashi

October 18, 2025 22:30 IST

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty came up short against Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi of Japan 21-23, 21-18, 16-21 in 68 minutes at the Denmark Open Super 750.

How Tanvi Sharma became Junior World Championship finalist: No phone at night, no outside food, REM sleep monitored, and intense hard work

October 18, 2025 21:22 IST

She is not the next Sindhu or Saina, but reflects Tai Tzu-ying school of shotmaking

Tanvi Sharma has joined a select group of Indian shuttlers to have won a medal at the World Junior Championships and will be eyeing the gold in the summit clash. (Badminton Photo)

World Junior Championships 2025: Full list of Indian shuttlers who have reached the final of the prestigious tournament so far

October 18, 2025 22:33 IST

Tanvi Sharma became the latest Indian shuttler to confirm a medal at a Junior World Championships, which are being held in Guwahati. Here’s a list of other Indian shuttlers who have won a medal in the prestigious tournament.

Tanvi Sharma in finals of World Junior Championships

October 18, 2025 20:36 IST

Smacks Chinese Liu Si Ya 15-11, 15-9 to avenge Asian Jr Championships loss

Satwik-Chirag after their quarterfinal win in Denmark. (Credit: BWF/BadmintonPhoto)

Denmark Open Super 750: Satwik-Chirag overcome tricky Indonesian pair by staying low in defence, Lakshya Sen outplayed by Alex Lanier

October 18, 2025 08:29 IST

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won a pulsating encounter against Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Rahmat Hidayat to book their semi-final berth, while Lakshya Sen could not back up his high from Thursday, bowing out in the quarter-final.

Tanvi Sharma been called 'next Sindhu' by coach Park, and national head coach Pullela Gopichand has praised her temperament and ability to rustle up a power-game when needed. (Picture Credit: BAI)

Tanvi Sharma completes Guwahati circle – from losing Nationals final to assuring herself of Junior World’s medal

October 18, 2025 08:26 IST

Tanvi will end a 17-year wait for a women's singles medal at World Juniors, since Saina Nehwal won gold. The Hoshiarpur shuttler defeated Japanese Saki Matsumoto 13-15, 15-9, 15-10 in quarters and will play Chinese Liu Si Ya for a place in the final.