The dream run for India at the World Junior Mixed Team Badminton Championships came to an end in the semifinals on Friday, as defending champions Indonesia delivered a commanding performance to defeat the host nation 45-35, 45-21. This match marked the conclusion of India’s historic quest, despite securing their first-ever medal in the mixed team competition.
In the other semifinal clash, 14-time champions China had a tougher fight, surviving a significant scare to beat Japan in a nail-biting encounter with scores of 45-42, 38-45, 45-42. This victory sets up a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s summit clash between China and Indonesia.
Having already guaranteed at least a bronze medal following a spectacular comeback win over two-time champions Korea in the quarterfinals, the young Indian squad was undeniably aiming for gold. However, facing the experienced Indonesian side proved to be a monumental task.
Despite the enthusiastic cheers from a passionate home crowd at the National Center of Excellence in Guwahati, it was Indonesia who truly dominated the court, making all the key plays and dictating the tempo of the matches.
India’s strategy heavily relied on Unnati Hooda securing a substantial lead from her singles matches to offset Indonesia’s known strength in doubles. Unfortunately, this crucial cushion didn’t materialize, leaving the rest of the team with an uphill battle.
The day started with a glimmer of hope as Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu clinched the opening boys’ doubles fixture 9-6. Unnati Hooda then held a narrow 18-16 lead in her first set against Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, a clash between two of the world’s top-10 junior players.
However, that promising two-point advantage quickly faded. Top-ranked male junior, Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah, showcased his exceptional movement and delicate net play to outclass Rounak Chouhan, regaining the lead for Indonesia.
A late surge saw C. Lalramsanga and Vishakha Toppo bravely fight back in their mixed doubles match, leveling the score at 33-33 after being down 23-27. Lalramsanga, a talented doubles prospect from Mizoram, impressed with his speed and court craft, troubling Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya and Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine. Yet, this brief comeback proved to be a fleeting moment of hope, swiftly extinguished as Indonesia firmly controlled the remaining matches, allowing India only 23 more points across the subsequent six games.
The individual championships are scheduled to follow at the same venue from October 13 to 19.
Semifinal Results Overview:
Semifinal 1: Indonesia def. India (45-35, 45-21)
Set 1:
- Boys’ Doubles: Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok/Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono (Indonesia) 6-9 Bhargav Ram Arigela/Viswa Tej Gobburu (India)
- Girl’s Singles: Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan (Indonesia) 16-18 Unnati Hooda (India)
- Boy’s Singles: Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah (Indonesia) 27-23 Rounak Chouhan (India)
- Mixed Doubles: Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine (Indonesia) 36-33 C Lalramsanga/Vishakha Toppo (India)
- Girls’ Doubles: Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine (Indonesia) 45-35 Vennala Kalagotla/Reshika Uthayasooriyan (India)
Set 2:
- Boys’ Doubles: Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono/Alexius Ongkytama Subagio (Indonesia) 9-2 Bhargav Ram Arigela/Viswa Tej Gobburu (India)
- Girl’s Singles: Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan (Indonesia) 18-8 Unnati Hooda (India)
- Boy’s Singles: Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah (Indonesia) 27-15 Rounak Chouhan (India)
- Mixed Doubles: Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine (Indonesia) 36-19 C Lalramsanga/Vishakha Toppo (India)
- Girls’ Doubles: Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine (Indonesia) 45-21 Aanya Bisht/Angel Punera (India)
Semifinal 2: China def. Japan (45-42, 38-45, 45-42)
Set 1:
- Girl’s Singles: Xu Wen Jing (China) 5-9 Yuzuno Watanabe (Japan)
- Boy’s Singles: Xiao Gao Bo (China) 14-18 Hyuga Takano (Japan)
- Mixed Doubles: Chen Jun Ting/Cao Zi Han (China) 27-26 Shuji Sawada/Aoi Banno (Japan)
- Girls’ Doubles: Cao Zi Han/Chen Fan Shu Tian (China) 36-28 Meisa Anami/Himeka Hashimura (Japan)
- Boys’ Doubles: Chen Jun Ting/Liu Jun Rong (China) 45-42 Kazuma Kawano/Shuji Sawada (Japan)
Set 2:
- Girl’s Singles: Xu Wen Jing (China) 6-9 Yuzuno Watanabe (Japan)
- Boy’s Singles: Liu Yang Ming Yu (China) 16-18 Kazuma Kawano (Japan)
- Mixed Doubles: Chen Jun Ting/Cao Zi Han (China) 25-27 Shuji Sawada/Aoi Banno (Japan)
- Girls’ Doubles: Cao Zi Han/Chen Fan Shu Tian (China) 33-36 Meisa Anami/Himeka Hashimura (Japan)
- Boys’ Doubles: Chen Jun Ting/Liu Jun Rong (China) 38-45 Kazuma Kawano/Shuji Sawada (Japan)
Set 3:
- Girl’s Singles: Xu Wen Jing (China) 8-9 Yuzuno Watanabe (Japan)
- Boy’s Singles: Xiao Gao Bo (China) 18-12 Hyuga Takano (Japan)
- Mixed Doubles: Chen Jun Ting/Cao Zi Han (China) 27-17 Shuji Sawada/Aoi Banno (Japan)
- Girls’ Doubles: Cao Zi Han/Chen Fan Shu Tian (China) 36-27 Meisa Anami/Himeka Hashimura (Japan)
- Boys’ Doubles: Chen Jun Ting/Liu Jun Rong (China) 45-42 Kazuma Kawano/Shuji Sawada (Japan)