Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Bring Home India's First World Championships Medal in 14 Years

Indian badminton duo Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have secured a place on the podium at the World Championships, marking a significant milestone in their careers. The pair triumphed over the fourth-seeded Chinese team of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian, coming back from a game down to win 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in a thrilling quarterfinal match held on Friday. This victory not only guarantees them a medal but also makes them the first Indian women's doubles team to achieve this feat since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in 2011.

Reflecting on their achievement, Treesa expressed her emotions, stating, "This was really difficult, observing and processing. Really happy we won this. Let's not stop here." The match was a test of resilience, as the Chinese team initially took control, putting the Indian pair under pressure. However, Treesa and Gayatri managed to maintain their composure, with Gayatri noting, "Today was a pretty good match. We were trailing. In the second set it was tricky. We told each other to stay calm."

After a grueling 70 minutes of play, the duo's victory was met with an overwhelming sense of relief. On the sidelines, Gayatri's father, Gopi, celebrated the moment with a heartfelt embrace, recalling his own triumph at the All England Championships two years after Gayatri's birth. The atmosphere in the IG Stadium was electric, with fans rallying behind the players. Gayatri acknowledged the crowd's support, saying, "It is teamwork for us. It helped us to achieve this. The crowd was amazing, giving us the positive vibes."

The Indian pair's strategy involved staying present and patient during the match, which ultimately paid off. "We asked ourselves to be in the present and stay calm. Be patient to score at the right time, and that helped," Treesa explained. Knowing they were up against a top-five team, they focused on capitalizing on their opponents' mistakes. "This pair was also in the top five. We wanted to catch their mistakes. Just be calm and be patient tomorrow," Gayatri added.

With their victory, Treesa and Gayatri have not only brought home a medal for India after a 15-year gap in women's doubles but are also set to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. Their next challenge lies in the semifinals against the world number one team from China, a task that Gopi is well-prepared to guide them through, having previously helped other Indian champions break through similar barriers. The excitement surrounding their journey continues to build as they aim for further glory at the World Championships.