Satwik, the Shuttler, Revels in Double Delight:
After securing India’s historic badminton doubles gold medal at the Asian Games, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy opened up about the key to his success, ending a 61-year-long quest for badminton gold alongside his partner Chirag Shetty. The 23-year-old Satwik attributed his achievement to the guidance and unwavering trust of national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand.
He expressed his deep appreciation for Gopichand’s motivation and support, acknowledging the coach’s significant role in their journey. He mentioned, “Securing the Asiad gold has been a source of immense joy, and the past two weeks have been truly extraordinary for all of us.
I originated from Amalapuram, a town in Andhra Pradesh, and began my training in Hyderabad like any other aspiring player. However, making history is a process that unfolds over time, and all of this has been made possible due to the efforts of Gopi sir (Gopichand).” Regarding celebrations, Satwik emphasized that while winning the Asian Games gold was a dream come true, there was no time to revel in it just yet.
Their focus remained fixed on an ultimate goal they aimed to achieve, and once that objective was met, he promised to celebrate with all his heart. Rather than fixating on becoming the World No. 1 pair, Satwik’s priority was to win more tournaments.
He expressed his view that while achieving the top ranking was gratifying, it was not as significant as winning major tournaments. Satwik saw rankings as an indicator of consistency but acknowledged the added pressure that came with the prestigious title of World No. 1 pair.
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