Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are set to make their comeback at the BWF Super 750 China Masters 2024. The tournament is being held from November 14 to 24 at the Shenzhen Arena in China. With a prize pool of USD 1.15 million (approximately Rs 9.66 crore), the event marks their first appearance since their quarterfinal exit at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After overcoming minor injuries and the disappointment of the Olympics, Satwik and Chirag have been training independently for over a month. With two BWF titles already this year, the duo is aiming to win their third title at China Masters, setting a positive tone for their journey toward the 2028 LA Olympics.
Coachless Challenge
A major challenge for Satwik and Chirag is that they are currently without a coach. The pair parted ways with their Danish coach Mathias Boe in July following the Paris Olympics and have been training on their own since then. While the Badminton Association of India (BAI) appointed Kim Tan Her as the national doubles coach, it is unclear when he will assume his role.
BAI’s shift from personal coaching to group training under national coaches adds further uncertainty. This leaves Satwik and Chirag to compete without on-court coaching support, which could be a significant challenge, especially against top-ranked opponents.
Seeking Redemption After 2023 Final Loss
In the 2023 China Masters, Satwik and Chirag came close to winning the title but lost in the final to world number one duo Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. This year, they are determined to redeem themselves but will face an uphill battle without a coach to guide them during matches.
Where to Watch the China Masters 2024
Fans in India can watch Satwik and Chirag’s matches live on Jio Cinema and Sports 18.
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