HS Prannoy delivered a stunning performance that left spectators on the edge of their seats as he triumphed over two-time defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in a breathtaking quarterfinal match at the World Badminton Championship.
The 68-minute clash unfolded in an electrifying atmosphere, with Prannoy displaying remarkable resilience and skill to secure a hard-fought victory, guaranteeing India a medal in the championship. “O’ yes! I finally have a worlds medal,” said Prannoy after the match.
Despite initially trailing after dropping the first game to Axelsen, Prannoy showcased his tenacity and big-match temperament by orchestrating a thrilling comeback. With the crowd fervently rallying behind Axelsen, Prannoy remained unfazed, entering a state of focused determination.
“I just zoned out, the only thing under my control is me. I was actually not thinking anything else today, just thinking what to do to take the next five points,” the World No.9 Prannoy said. “A lot of thinking I was doing inside but was not aware what was happening around. I was pretty much in my zone after the second game.”
Prannoy’s triumph marked his first-ever world championship medal, a remarkable achievement for the 31-year-old from Kerala. This victory added to India’s growing legacy in the sport, contributing to the country’s 14th medal in the World Badminton Championship. PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, B Sai Praneeth, Prakash Padukone have previously won in singles event, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa have won in doubles category.
Prannoy’s strategic play and unwavering spirit were on full display throughout the match. He strategically altered the pace of rallies and engaged Axelsen in a variety of shots, ultimately outwitting the world No. 1 player. The seesaw battle continued into the decisive third game, where Prannoy’s accurate returns and well-placed smashes enabled him to establish a lead. The homegrown talent maintained his composure and eventually clinched victory, sealing his triumphant path to the medal round.
Reflecting on his win and future prospects, Prannoy expressed his commitment to innovation in his game. He highlighted his dedication to developing new shots to challenge opponents in the ever-competitive field of badminton.
“Before coming for Worlds, we had a week’s time, all we do was practice some few shots, learn something new, so there was this shot at 19-19 yesterday, that didnt work but the guts to try something new is a never ending process. We are trying to find new shots because we are playing against top 10, top 20 every week. I might come out with a new shot next week,” Prannoy said.
