“They have a complete game and are surely going to be the team to watch out for in the next few months. If you check, there are few like them around the world. They have the physical strength to hit the big smashes, they have the defence and age is on their side. They will only get better. And having played in Tokyo and knowing what it is all about they will surely be one of our best bets for Paris,” said Pullela Gopichand when I asked him about Satwik and Chirag and how he sees them shaping up in the next two years.
Between 2021 and 2024, Satwik and Chirag have become a force to reckon with globally. They had the talent but the belief that they could win at the big stage and make an impact have come in the last one year. Multiple super series titles, the Asian Games gold and a fleeting taste of the World No. 1 position; it has been a fantastic 14 months for the duo.
The question is what is working for them and how can they get even better?
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Multiple world titles including the Asian Games gold, Satwik and Chirag are one of India’s best bets for the Paris Olympics!
Presenting you the Brothers of Destruction for Trailblazers 2.0.@satwiksairaj @Shettychirag04… pic.twitter.com/EyKYv6FNdc
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) February 17, 2024
For the longest time, doubles had been ignored in Indian badminton. It was all about singles and hardly any real attention was given to doubles. Unlike in some other sports, doubles in badminton is as important and as competitive as singles and we in India have taken long to realise this. In fact, this is where Gopichand made the maximum difference. He was able to convince the country about the importance of doubles, get focus back on it and now Satwik and Chirag have all the facilities they need to further improve their game. Mathias Boe, India’s specialised doubles coach and one who has been with Satwik and Chirag all through, has made a serious difference to the pair and will be staying on to help the duo till Paris 2024.
The journey of SAT-CHI, however, isn’t complete. While they have won a Super 1000, it is important to note that they have not made the year-end competition and not won the coveted Olympic medal yet.
As long as Satwik and Chirag are able to maintain their fitness and stay focused, they will surely go into Paris as one of the contenders. For a country starved of Olympic champions, this pair is easily the big thing in Indian badminton. But with India living off Olympic titles, their moment could well come in August 2024. That’s what they will speak to us about at the Trailblazers Conclave 2.0.
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