Denmark
India’s badminton star HS Prannoy is basking in the joy of a stunning victory over two-time defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the quarterfinals. Prannoy expressed his exhilaration, noting that his determination has finally paid off, earning him a coveted world medal.I finally have a world medal. I just zoned out, focusing only on what I needed to do to gain the next five points. Despite the intense thinking going on inside, I was completely in my zone after the second game, said Prannoy after the match. He went on to highlight his commitment to evolving his game, hinting at introducing new shots in future tournaments. I have been developing my game and trying to learn as many new shots as I can. I might come out with new shots in the next week, he added. This remarkable victory secures a world championship medal for Prannoy. Despite initially falling behind in the first game, Prannoy displayed remarkable resilience in the second set, showcasing his determination and composure. The final scorecard read 13-31, 21-15, 21-16 in Prannoy’s favor. Prannoy now joins the ranks of esteemed Indian badminton players like PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, B Sai Praneeth, and Prakash Padukone, who have previously claimed medals in singles events. His triumph against Axelsen will undoubtedly boost his morale as he prepares for the upcoming semifinal against Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn. With his exceptional performance, Prannoy has not only secured a place in the semifinals but also etched his name in the annals of Indian badminton history.
