Iran Fajr International Challenge: India finish with massive medal haul

Modified Feb 06, 2024 16:35 IST

India in action at the Iran Fajr International Challenge

India finished their campaign at the Iran Fajr International Challenge on a high. Indian shuttlers walked away with a total of six podium finishes from the tournament, including two golds, three silvers, and a bronze.

Satish Karunakaran/Aadya Variyath and Sumeeth Reddy/Sikki Reddy were the first to win medals for India in the mixed doubles category. They put up impeccable performances the entire week, setting up an all-Indian final. While Sumeeth and Sikki Reddy were the favorites for the win in terms of experience, it was Karunakaran and Variyath who clinched gold. The youngsters won the match 22-20, 21-14.

Karunakaran also carried the form over to his singles performance, making it to the final of the event. In the final, the Indian shuttler fell short against Hong Kong’s 13th seed Nguyen Hai Dang. While Karunakaran managed to keep the scoreline tight, he eventually lost the match 17-21, 18-21.

India's other gold at the Iran Fajr International Challenge came in the men's doubles category. Krishna Prasad Garaga and Sai Pratheek had tough opponents in second seeds Job Castillo and Luis Armando Montoya Navarro, but the Indians held their nerves to emerge victorious 21-18, 21-19.

Women's singles fourth seed Tasnim Mir was the other Indian to make it to the final, where she lost to Hong Kong's Lo Sin Yan Happy. Mir wasn't able to find her rhythm, as Happy took home the gold 21-14, 21-12.

The country's only bronze at the tournament came from Ayush Shetty, who lost his semi-final battle to compatriot Sathish Karunakaran.