Asian Games 2023 Final Highlights: Satwik-Chirag pair wins India’s maiden gold medal in badminton, beats Korean duo 21-18, 21-16

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Gold, Men’s Doubles, 2023)

Indian men’s team (Silver, 2023)

P.V. Sindhu (Silver, Women’s Singles, 2018)

H.S. Prannoy (Bronze, Men’s Singles, 2023)

Saina Nehwal (Bronze, Women’s Singles, 2018)

Syed Modi (Bronze, Men’s Singles, 1982)

Leroy D’Sa & Pradeep Gandhe (Bronze, Men’s Doubles, 1982)

Leroy D’Sa & Kanwal Thakar Singh (Bronze, Mixed Doubles, 1982)

Indian Men’s Team (Bronze, 1986)

Indian Men’s Team (Bronze, 1982)

Indian Men’s Team (Bronze, 1974)

Time for the medal ceremony at the Binjiang Gymnasium. First up, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, and Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin - the losing semifinalists - receive the bronze medals.

Next, it is time for the Korean pair of Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho to receive the silver medal after an impressive campaign right up to the final.

And now, Satwik and Chirag, the golden boys of Indian badminton, receive the gold medals after putting up yet another brilliant performance. They continue to create history for the country.

For the first time ever in the history of Asian Games, the Indian national anthem will be played at a medal ceremony in badminton. Satwik and Chirag salute the tricolour as it is raised.

Satwik and Chirag survived the early onslaught from the Koreans in the first game before pulling off one of their trademark comebacks - from 15-18 to clinch the opener. In the second game, they were in control for most part and closed the proceedings without much fuss.

The duo will begin its reign at the new World No. 1 in some style!

Kim lifts one long and that’s it. Satwik and Chirag win first-ever badminton gold at Asian Games for India as they win the match 21-18, 21-16!!!!

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Asian Games 2023: Satwik-Chirag of India win country’s first-ever badminton gold in Asiad at Hangzhou

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won India’s maiden Asian Games gold in badminton in Hangzhou, China on Saturday.

Satwik lifts one backhand wide. Still, four more chances.

Choi nets a forehand. Five gold medal points for the Indians.

Chirag nets a backhand after the jump smashes from both the Indians do not manage to win the point.

Great judgement from Satwik as Kim lifts one long.

Two straight points for the Koreans. Still, a healthy lead for the Indians.

Chirag keeps the point going as he runs off court after retrieving a net shot. Satwik’s smash is hit wide by Kim.

Great crosscourt drop shot from the back of the court from Satwik.

Body smash from Chirag on Kim to extend the lead to two points again.

A rare miss from Satwik as he nets a jump smash.

The net cord helps the Indians a bit as Kim loses his balance trying to send the shuttle back which he does manage but Chirag hits a smash in the middle to win the point anyway.

Clever crosscourt drive return from Chirag on Kim’s serve and Choi is late in getting his racquet to the shuttle.

The Koreans are not done yet. Three straight points. Is the comeback on?

The lift from Choi lands wide and that gives the Indians a four-point lead in the second game.

Jump smash from Satwik bisects the two Koreans and lands well inside.

A sensation behind-the-body forehand return from Satwik to keep the rally going but the Koreans eventually win the point.

Choi nets a regular forehand and the lead is back to four points for the Indians.

Error in judgement again from the Koreans as Satwik’s return clearly lands inside the doubles alley.

Indians toy with Kim for major part of the rally before Satwik hits a body smash aimed at Choi to stretch the lead to three points.

Clever return of serve from Chirag - stayed low and pounced on it with a quick kill.

Choi keeps returning Chirag’s smashes before the Indian decides to go crosscourt and attack Kim’s body. The decision proves to be a right one.

Lovely drive from Satwik to take the point after it was brilliantly set up by Chirag’s return.

Brilliant jump smash from the back of the court by Satwik and Choi’s lift only finds the net.

From 15-18 down, the Indian pair reels off six straight points to clinch the opener!

The backhand return from Kim goes long and Indian pair has two game points.

A winning smash from Chirag in the centre of the court and the Indians are ahead now!

Another gruelling rally and Chirag manages to level the scores as Kim mishits a drive.

Error in judgement from Choi as Satwik’s serve lands in.

Clever crosscourt return from Satwik to find the empty space in the forecourt.

Extraordinary defense from the Korean pair before pouncing on the opportunity as Kim finishes the point with a smash to extend the lead to three points.

A rare error from Choi as he nets a backhand.

Chirag’s net shot read easily by Kim who hits an easy kill.

A superb drive from Kim to win the next point. The Koreans ahead by two again.

Great work from Kim to survive the barrage of smashes from Satwik before turning the rally in the Koreans favour with a crosscourt kill.

Body smash from Satwik on Choi and the scores are level!

Probably the best rally of the match. Both pairs had chances to win the point but eventually, the Indians come out on top with Chirag hitting the winner. He has been a bit off today and that point should give him more confidence.

Short lift from the Koreans and Satwik easily drills one smash into the court.

Service error from Chirag. The Koreans lead by two points in the opening game.

Two smashes from Chirag retrieved but the Korean pair is unable to send the smash from Satwik back.

This time, however, Chirag does manage to find the right angle for the kill. Deficit down to two points.

Chirag fails to find a deep angle with his down-the-line smashes and ends up sending one long. The Indian pair unsuccessfully challenges the call.

Body smash from Kim directed at Chirag who can only hit the return wide.

Flat exchange between the two pairs and Chirag ends up sending one drive long.

Crosscourt defensive backhand from Chirag goes wide.

And the Indian pair wins the opening point courtesy a smash from Chirag.

This has been the second-best Asian Games for the Indian contingent in terms of medals tally. India clinched four medals at the 1982 edition in New Delhi.

The Indian contingent will leave China with three medals - a silver clinched by men’s team, a bronze in singles by Prannoy and one whose colour is yet to be decided as Satwik-Chirag play in the men’s doubles final.

Satwik-Chirag pair has faced Choi and Kim twice and won on both occasions. The Indian duo won 21-18, 21-14 in French Open semifinals last year and 21-16, 21-13 in round of 32 in Malaysia Open this year.

Indian men’s team (Silver, 2023)

P.V. Sindhu (Silver, Women’s Singles, 2018)

Saina Nehwal (Bronze, Women’s Singles, 2018)

H.S. Prannoy (Bronze, Men’s Singles, 2023)

Syed Modi (Bronze, Men’s Singles, 1982)

Leroy D’Sa & Pradeep Gandhe (Bronze, Men’s Doubles, 1982)

Leroy D’Sa & Kanwal Thakar Singh (Bronze, Mixed Doubles, 1982)

Indian Men’s Team (Bronze, 1986)

Indian Men’s Team (Bronze, 1982)

Indian Men’s Team (Bronze, 1974)

Semifinal: Won 21-12, 21-10 against Lee Yang-Wang Chi-Lin (Chinese Taipei)

Quarterfinal: Won 21-7, 21-11 against Law Cheuk Him-Yeung Shing Choi (Hong Kong, China)

Round of 16: Won 21-10, 18-21, 23-21 against Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang (China)

Round of 32: Won 21-14, 21-16 against Andy Jun Liang Kwek-Kean Hean Loh (Singapore)

Semifinal: Won 21-17, 21-12 against Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Malaysia)

Quarterfinal: Won 21-7, 21-9 against Nge Joo Jie-Johann Prajogo (Singapore)

Round of 16: Won 24-22, 16-21, 21-12 against Leo Rolly Carnnando-Daniel Marthin (Indonesia)

Round of 32: Won 21-11, 21-16 against Chow Hin Long-Lui Chun Wai (Hong Kong, China)

Live telecast of the Asian Games is available in India on the Sony Sports Network while the live streaming can be found on the Sony Liv app.

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are one win away from creating history. No Indian has ever won a gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games. Country’s best result came in the form of the men’s team’s silver at the ongoing edition and P V Sindhu’s silver medal at the 2018 edition.

Satwik and Chirag, who will officially be crowned World No. 1 next week, take on Republic of Korea’s Choi Solgyu and Kim Wonho in the summit clash.