Daijiworld Media Network - Ichinomiya City
Ichinomiya City, Sep 22: India secured at least a bronze medal in the men’s team badminton event at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating hosts Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday.
Lakshya Sen overcame a strong challenge from Kodai Naraoka in the opening singles before the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty extended India’s lead. Ayush Shetty then completed a comprehensive victory with a straight-game win over Koki Watanabe.
Lakshya was forced to fight back after losing the opening game 11-21 against Naraoka. The Indian responded strongly in the second game, racing to a 21-5 win to level the contest.
Naraoka appeared to regain momentum in the decider and built a five-point lead, but Lakshya produced a determined comeback. He drew level at 19-19 before winning the next two points to clinch the match 11-21, 21-5, 21-19.
The pressure then shifted to the doubles court, where world No. 5 pair Satwiksairaj and Chirag faced Japan’s world No. 9 combination of Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, former world champions.
The Indian duo took a closely fought opening game 21-18. The second game remained tight as Japan saved three match points and levelled the score at 20-20.
Satwik and Chirag kept their composure in the crucial stages and eventually won the game 24-22, giving India a 2-0 lead in the tie.
Ayush was tasked with sealing the quarterfinal and delivered a composed performance against Watanabe. He controlled the opening game from the start and won it 21-10.
Watanabe attempted to stage a comeback in the second game, but Ayush maintained his advantage and led 11-5 at the interval. He went on to win the game 21-19, completing a 21-10, 21-19 victory and sending India into the semifinals.
The win also guaranteed India at least a bronze medal in the event.
India had earlier opened its campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in the round of 16.
The Indian men’s team will face the winner of the quarterfinal between China and South Korea in the semifinals on Wednesday.
The victory also keeps India on course to better its performance from the previous edition of the Asian Games, where the men’s team won the silver medal after losing the final to China.