The talented Indian badminton pair, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are still not competing in any badminton events after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Satwik’s injury delayed their comeback. They have not yet returned to the BWF World Tour circuit, as they recently withdrew from the Denmark Open due to Satwik’s recovery process.
Satwik and Chirag were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles badminton at the Paris Olympics. They lost to Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik with scores of 21-13, 14-21, and 16-21.
Chirag Shetty on comeback plans
“My partner is currently injured, but we will start soon and make our plans,” Chirag Shetty informed ANI during the ‘Beyond the Finish Line’ event, organised by the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. He expressed hope that they would return to action next month, as Satwik is undergoing rehabilitation. “We aimed to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, but it wasn’t meant to be. However, we’ve won almost every medal except an Olympic one, and we aspire to secure gold in the World Championships,” Chirag added.
Disappointment at the Olympics
The Indian duo entered the 2024 Paris Olympics as medal favourites but faced elimination in the quarter-finals against the eventual bronze-medalists, Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Chirag described their quarter-final exit as “disappointing,” attributing it to “unlucky points and missed opportunities” in the deciding game.
Support from loved ones
While the immediate reaction to their Olympic loss from fans and colleagues was one of disappointment, Chirag noted that their close friends and family provided unwavering support. “Everyone was as disappointed as we were. Our close friends and family encouraged us, saying there’s always a second chance, so keep pushing yourself. Our target is to win a medal at the 2028 LA Olympics,” Chirag concluded.