Badminton

Shikhar Dhawan Applauds Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand for Securing Bronze at BWF World Championships

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 23, 2026, 14:11 IST

On Sunday, Shikhar Dhawan, a former opener for India, praised shuttlers Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand for winning bronze at the BWF World Championships.

Shikhar Dhawan Applauds Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand for Securing Bronze at BWF World Championships

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian cricket opener, expressed his admiration for badminton players Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand following their historic achievement at the BWF World Championships. The duo's journey to securing a bronze medal has captivated sports enthusiasts, showcasing their determination and skill throughout the tournament. Competing as unseeded players, Jolly and Gopichand, currently ranked 39th in the world, faced a challenging semi-final match against the top-seeded Chinese pair, Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning, ultimately losing 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 after an intense hour and 11 minutes of play at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

In a heartfelt message on the social media platform 'X', Dhawan celebrated their remarkable performance, stating, "From being unseeded to beating three seeded pairs and making the World Championships semifinals… what a journey! Take a bow, Treesa & Gayatri!" His words reflect the pride and excitement surrounding the young athletes' accomplishments.

Historic Milestone for Indian Badminton

The achievement of Jolly and Gopichand marks a significant milestone in Indian badminton history. Just a day prior to their semi-final match, the pair made headlines by defeating the fourth-seeded Chinese duo of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian, showcasing their resilience and skill on the international stage. This victory not only earned them a place in the semi-finals but also made them the first Indian women's doubles team to win a medal at the World Championships since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa secured bronze in London in 2011.

Furthermore, this accomplishment ensures that India maintains its impressive streak of winning at least one medal at every World Championships since 2011, a remarkable run that spans 15 years. This streak began with Gutta and Ponnappa ending a 28-year medal drought, following Prakash Padukone's historic bronze in 1983. Over the years, P.V. Sindhu has been a standout performer, contributing five medals to this legacy, including a gold medal in 2019.

Looking Ahead

As Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand celebrate their success, they are also preparing for future competitions, including the upcoming 2026 Asian Games set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Their journey continues to inspire many, and their recent achievements have undoubtedly raised expectations for Indian badminton on the global stage.

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