K. Srikanth returns home to a warm welcome

Srikanth won the China Open after beating Lin Dan in the final

Hyderabad, Nov 24 (IANS)

Kidambi Srikanth, the newly-crowned China Open champion, returned here in the early hours of Monday to a warm welcome by his coach, relatives and friends.

The shuttler was received by officials from Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, his parents and friends at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 1 a.m. The youngster, who arrived from Hong Kong, said he was excited to win the China Open.

"I never thought that I could win the title beating Lin Dan," he said.

Srikanth dedicated the victory to his parents and coach Pullela Gopichand. Srikanth created history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to bag a Super Series Premier title.

He defeated two-time Olympic Champion and five-time World Champion Lin Dan in the final played on 16^th November.

The 21-year-old from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, however, lost to reigning World Champion Chen Long of China in Hong Kong Open semifinal.