India’s impressive journey at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships concluded with a bronze medal after a fierce semifinals battle against defending champions Indonesia in Guwahati on Friday. Following a historic quarterfinal victory over former champions Korea, India was unable to maintain its momentum, ultimately losing the match 35-45, 21-45 to the tournament favorites.
Indonesia, with its sights set on securing another title, will face the winner of the other semifinal clash between 14-time champions China and Japan. For this crucial match, India made a single adjustment to the lineup that triumphed over Korea, incorporating Vishakha Toppo in place of Aanya Bisht for the mixed doubles category.
The competition commenced with the boys’ doubles, where India’s leading pair, Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu, quickly gave the home team hope by defeating Indonesia’s Muhmmad Rizki Mubarrok and Raihan Daffa Pramono 9-5. Unnati Hooda, representing India in the girls’ singles, struggled initially against Thalita Wiryawan but managed to keep India’s lead at 18-16.
However, the tide turned when Indonesia’s world junior number one boys’ singles player, Mohd Ubaidillah, decisively defeated Rounak Chouhan 11-5, providing his team a significant edge. In the mixed doubles, Lalramsanga and Vishakha Toppo made an effort to level the scores at 28-28 and even pulled ahead at 9-3. Nevertheless, Indonesia’s Ikhsan Pramudya and Rinjani Nastine retaliated effectively after the break, finishing the match with a 10-9 score to regain control.
Nastine later partnered with Riska Anggraini to secure a 9-2 victory against Reshika U and Vennala K, thereby concluding the set at 45-35 in favor of Indonesia. From the very beginning of the second set, Indonesia dominated, with Mubarrok and Pramono defeating the Indian boys’ duo 9-2. Unnati Hooda fell 7-9 against Wiryawan, and Rounak Chouhan lost by the same margin to Ubaidillah, making it increasingly difficult for the Indian doubles teams to bridge the gap.
Now, Indian players will shift their focus to the upcoming individual championships, scheduled to commence on Monday.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/10/11/india-lose-in-semis-to-sign-off-with-first-ever-bronze/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-10-11 06:32:00
