Teen Anmol stuns world No. 45 Pornpicha to secure India victory
SHAH ALAM: Teenage shuttler Anmol Kharb (pic) again stole the limelight as she helped India create history by capturing the women’s title in the Asia Team Championships.

The 17-year-old belied her tender years yet again by stunning world No. 45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-14, 21-9 to give India a 3-2 win over Thailand in the final at the Setia City Convention Centre yesterday.

It was the third time in the tournament where Anmol won the all-important fifth and deciding match to hand victory for her country.

She had also toppled China’s Wu Luoyu and Japan’s Natsuki Nidaira en route to the final.

In the title match, 2019 world champion P.V. Sindhu led by example by easily brushing aside world No. 17 Supanida Katethong 21-12, 21-12.

World No. 23 Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand then battled brilliantly to upstage world No. 10 Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 21-18, 18-21, 21-16 in a thrilling 73-minute match to double India’s advantage.

Hopes were then on world No. 53 Ashmita Chaliha to cause an upset over world No. 18 Busanan Ongbamrungphan and give India the overall win but the Thai reignited her own country’s chances with a 21-11, 21-14 win.

The momentum swung in Thailand’s favour and second doubles pair Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard took advantage to sweep aside Priya Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra 21-11, 21-9 to ensure a grandstand finish.

All eyes were on Anmol to see if she could repeat her heroics in the earlier rounds and she responded to the challenge magnificently.

It was India’s first ever women’s team title.

Their best achievement previously in a women’s team event was reaching the semi-finals in the Uber Cup thrice in 1957, 2014 and 2016.

Anmol was ecstatic after helping create history for her country.

“I’m very happy that we have bagged the gold medal as this is India’s first title in the Asia Team Championships,” said Anmol.

“We didn’t expect to win gold. We beat powerhouses China and Japan and it gave us the confidence to win in the final,” added Anmol.
Badminton,Anmol Kharb,Asia Team Championships,Shah Alam
SHAH ALAM: Teenage shuttler Anmol Kharb again stole the limelight as she helped India create history by capturing the women’s title in the Asia Team Championships.