Ashmita Chaliha Expresses Desire for Further Success Following Victory at Korea Masters

Ashmita Chaliha, a 26-year-old badminton player from India, achieved a significant milestone by clinching the Korea Masters women's singles title on Sunday. In a thrilling final, she triumphed over China's fourth-seeded Han Qian Xi with a score of 14-21, 21-14, 21-14, completing the match in 53 minutes. Following her victory, Ashmita expressed her disbelief and excitement, stating, “I feel really great; it's unbelievable. I'm still trying to digest it,” in a video shared by Olympics.com. This win marks her first title on the BWF World Tour and propels her closer to breaking into the top 40 rankings globally.

Entering the final as the 50th-ranked player, Ashmita faced a tough start, initially leading 9-5 before losing the first game 14-21. The match conditions proved challenging, but a change in sides allowed her to find her rhythm. “The first set was a little bit tricky because of the drift conditions, so I wasn't able to manage it. But then the second set, the other side is more comfortable, and it's a little bit less drift. So I was able to control it,” she explained. This adjustment was crucial, as she dominated the second game and carried that momentum into the final set, maintaining pressure on Han to secure her victory.

Ashmita's journey to the title was remarkable, showcasing her resilience and skill against formidable opponents. She began her campaign with a straight-game win over qualifier Ririna Hiramoto, followed by a victory against Kim Min Ji. In a standout performance, she defeated top seed Hina Akechi in the quarterfinals, winning 20-22, 21-15, 21-19, before overcoming compatriot Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj to reach the final.

This victory not only makes Ashmita the first Indian to win the Korea Masters but also highlights her impressive comeback after a three-month injury hiatus. Since returning to competition in May, she has reached the quarterfinals at both the China Masters and Malaysia Masters, and made it to the semifinals of the Macau Open in June. Her latest success is expected to elevate her into the world’s top 40 for the first time.

While celebrating her achievement, Ashmita remains focused on future goals. “I didn't know this. I feel blessed; thank you to everyone back home for supporting me. I'm hungry for more!” she remarked. She also acknowledged the pivotal role of her coach, Park Tae-Sang, in her success, stating, “All the credit goes to coach Park. Without him, I wouldn't have been this much energetic.” Ashmita's victory adds to India's growing success in badminton, following the men's doubles title won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty at the Singapore Badminton Open earlier this year.