India's Ajay Jayaram finished runner-up at the Belgian International Challenge after going down in straight games to Malaysia's Ng Tze Yong in the men's singles final here on Saturday.

The former world no 13, lost 14-21 to the 21-year-old Ng Tze Yong in the summit clash of the four-day tournament. Although Ng Tze Yong is ranked 74 in the world he went on the way to the finals.

On way to the finals, fifth seed Jayaram, who is currently ranked 63, had beat Kim Bruun of Denmark in the semifinals. And he defeated Japan's Hashiru Shimono in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Among other Indians in the fray, Subhankar Dey and Aakarshi Kashyap had lost in the quarter-final stage.

Also read: French Open Badminton 2021: PV Sindhu And Lakshya Wins, Saina Retires Mid-Game

While Subhankar lost 15-21 21-8 15-21 to Yusuke Onodera of Japan, Aakarshi went down 12-21 11-21 to Japan's Riko Gunji in the women's singles.

When the exclusion of badminton from the 2026 Commonwealth Games feels like unhealed pain for Indian badminton fans, the shuttles shine at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024 in Tokyo. India concluded their campaign with 24 medals, including six gold, nine silver, and nine bronze.

Sivarajan Solaimalai defeated Chun Yim Wong of Hong Kong in straight games (21-16, 21-16), thus winning the gold medal in the men's single SH6 category.

Manisha Ramadass clinched the gold medal by defeating Japan's Mamiko Toyoda by 21-12, 21-18 in the SU5 women's singles category.

Sukant Kadam, however, defeated his contemporary Indian Tarun Dhillon by 21-12, 21-10 to win the gold in the SL4 Men's Singles Category.

Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant won the bronze medals.

Read Also: Commonwealth Games 2026: A trailer for permanent shutdown?

Upset For Paralympic Champion Nitesh Kumar at the Japan Para Badminton International 2024

Japan's Fujihara Daisuke defeated Nitesh Kumar in a thrilling three-game contest in the final, with Kumar winning just one in the middle. The scoreboard says 16-21, 21-18, 19-21. Nitesh had to settle for silver

Hardik Makkar too received a silver medal after being defeated by Japan's Taio by 5-21, 19-21 in the SU5 Men's single final. Ruthik Raghupati won a bronze medal in this category.

The other silver came after Coraline Bergeron of France defeated Neeraj in the women's singles SL3 category final.

Read Also: BAI to give Rs 50 lakh cash rewards to Paris Paralympics 2024 medalists

Gold haul counts three

Hardik who failed in the SU5 Men's single, partnered with Ruthik and won gold by defeating the Indo-Polish duo Dev Rathi and Bartlomiej Mroz. 

Umesh Vikram Kumar and Surya Kant Yadav won the gold medal in the SL3-SL4 men's double category by defeating their fellow Indians Sukant Kadam and Dinesh Rajaiah 21-5, 20-22, 21-16.

In the D SH6 category, Sudarsan Saravanakumar Mutusamy and Sivarajan Solaimalai won the gold medal.

The contemporary Indian Badminton has so far gained the popularity in its country. However, certain issues need to be resolved. The biggest concern lies in the shuttlers facing a different environment in the non-Asian Countries. The major problem they face is the thick and slower court. 

This issue had made India short of many assured medals by whiskers. Be it peak Kidambi Srikanth missing his World Title in 2017 to Reddy-Shetty failing in big tournaments.

How do Indian and Asian Courts differ from European Courts?

The Asian Summers

Speaking about the weather in the Asian summers, it is humid. The Asian stadia provide full on air-conditioned courts for athletes. 

Air-conditioned rooms are marked favorable for shuttles, as the shuttles fly faster here. Here are the reasons:

• Lower air density: Air conditioning reduces temperature and humidity, resulting in denser air with fewer air molecules. This decrease in air resistance allows shuttlecocks to travel faster.
• Reduced air turbulence: Air conditioning systems circulate and filter the air, minimizing turbulence and air pockets that can slow down the shuttlecock.
• Consistent airflow: Air conditioning maintains a consistent airflow, reducing unpredictable air currents that can affect shuttlecock trajectory.
• Lower humidity: Dry air reduces the shuttlecock's drag coefficient, enabling it to fly faster.

This helps the athletes to maintain faster rallies and increased smashes with an attacking play. The also helps them to read the speed and work on their reaction time'

Added to this, the enhthralling supporters add more fuel to the pagddlers when tired.

European winters

European winters contradics the humid weather. Unlike the windy weather here, the air feels cal, slow and still. 

Slow and still air significantly impacts shuttlers' performance, technique, and strategy. it included different physical challenges along with rectified techniques and strategies.

The challanges a shuttler faces due to these conditions are as follows:

• Reduced shuttlecock speed: Slower reactions, less power.
• Increased drag: Shuttles dip and drop unexpectedly.
• Unpredictable trajectory: Difficulty judging distance and direction.
• Fatigue: Players expend more energy to generate power.

However, these are the "negetives" bigger stages like Olympics, offer.

Slow court, A Bane to the Shuttlers

Here are some instances when paddles were denied their crown due to the courts' behaviour.

• 2017 Kidambi Srikanth, a fast court specialist in India missed his Worlds Title in the slow Glaswegian conditions. The slow pitch defied from the title as the Korean Son Wan-ho defeated him in the quarterfinal.
• Tanvi Patri, a 13 year old rookie got defeated in Thailand's sluggish pitch last December. The thick air denied her speed, showing a red alert that she needs to gain some strength.
• And the most discussed duo- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. Right now, Reddy-Shetty is the finest doubles player in Indian Badminton periphery. Reddy still has his world fastest smash of 493km/hr. Even then, this duo cannot assert full power in slow court. And thus, they lost a few of the most serious and well-deserved titles.

Demands of Sluggish Pitches

Slow and still air significantly impacts shuttlers' performance, techniques, and strategies. Someone who was been trained on faster courts will find it difficult to adapt to the conditions if exposed.

The shuttles face certain physical changes that are listed below:

• Reduced shuttlecock speed: Slower reactions, less power.
• Increased drag: Shuttles dip and drop unexpectedly.
• Unpredictable trajectory: Difficulty judging distance and direction.
• Fatigue: Players expend more energy to generate power.

An athlete thus needs to make a few technical adjustments to combat the challenges.

• Slower stroke speed: Compensate for reduced shuttlecock speed.
• Increased wristwork: Generate power and control.
• Softer touches: Reduce shuttlecock's descent.
• More spin: Control shuttlecock trajectory.

The strategic changes include:

• Patient play: Waiting for opportunities to attack.
• Defensive focus: Exploiting opponents' struggles.
• Net play: Using precise, soft shots.
• Angle play: Creating sharp angles to disrupt opponents.

Effects on a few notable Shots:

1. Smashes: Less effective due to reduced power.
2. Clear shots: More difficult to execute.
3. Drops: Harder to control.

Slow Court? Not an Issue!

Not an old story when Lakshya Sen lost to Victor Axelsen in the Olympics semi-final. Slower Courts like that in Europe, especially in stages like Olympics demand patience and exquisite footwork, with strong defence. Lakshya had his defence in the checklist, but his footwork was still a sore in his throat. The Denmark giant was a set ahead when Lakshya fought but lost to nerves.

The bronze medal match had all these including his exposed injury in his smashing hand. The defence he has can aid in this condition but muscular opponents are still a challange to him.

The other veteran on court H.S. Pranoy is a clever lad with versatile techniques. He has got his techniques handy to combat the sluggishness. He thus not only won in Malaysia, but has a Worlds medal round his neck.

Two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu with her blazing power heft and work rate till 2019, defies these challanging conditions. The Olympic bronze medalist Saina Nehwal with her sturdy power smash overshadowed her limitations in court coverage capabilities.

Indian Approach

India has a love for stroke-making. Even though it is aesthetically pleasing, it question the  practicality in World Badminton.

With the October ticks in, the Europe session starts. The badminton camp then comes back and does a wide India-hoping, visiting smallcities playing number of tournaments! But how that that judge their efficiency in slow courts!

Read also: BAI to give Rs 50 lakh cash rewards to Paris Paralympics 2024 medalists

The slow courts host a major number of important international tournaments. With India not getting enough time their will never expire the frustration of them not getting medals.

Rookies like Priyanshu Rajawat will depend more on strokeplays like his ancestor Srikant used todo. Not failing the later, Rajawat will succumb to frustrating errors, missing points. Srikant had Son Wan-ho, but Rajawat will have way more equipped opponents-  Kunlavut Vitidsarn and of Kodai Naraoka.

Its high time for Indian to spend more time on slow courts, count quality over quantity, in order to not miss any well deserved title in fututre, 

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced a total cash award of Rs 50 lakh for the country's para-badminton players who won medals in the Paris Paralympics 2024 last month.

Indian para-badminton players had won a total of five medals including one gold, two silver, and two bronze at the Paris Paralympics 2024.

Also Read: India at Paralympics: Medals by every edition

Para shuttlers to receive cash rewards

Nitesh Kumar, who won gold in the men's singles SL3 category, will get a prize of Rs 15 lakh. Silver medalists Suhas Yathiraj (men's singles SL4) and Thulasimathi Murugesan (women's singles SU5) will be given Rs 10 lakh each.

Bronze medal winners Manisha Ramadass (women's singles SU5) and Nithya Sre Sivan (women's singles SH6 category) will get Rs 7 lakh 50 thousand each. Thulasimathi, Manisha and Nithya created history by becoming the first Indian female badminton players to win a medal in the Paralympics.

Also Read: India at Paralympics: How many medals has India won so far?

 'Rewards were a way to acknowledge the shuttlers'

BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra said, “Indian Para badminton players have been performing consistently on the world stage and the cash rewards are just one way for BAI to recognise their efforts in helping the country win medals at the Paralympics.” 

“BAI is committed to developing and promoting para-badminton across the country and helping these players achieve much more success and many more initiatives to develop para-badminton are being undertaken,” He added.

Also Read: PV Sindhu set to begin BWF campaign through Arctic Open

In view of the players' busy tournament schedule, BAI will also organize a virtual interaction session with these players to congratulate them and understand their requirements for continued development.

Indian badminton player Malvika Bansod continued her brilliant form and entered the Super 1000 quarter-finals for the first time by winning a tough match against her higher ranked opponent Kirsty Gilmour at the China Open 2024 in Changzhou on Thursday.

Also Read: India at Paralympics: Medals by every edition

Malvika Bansod, BWF ranking 43rd, toiled hard for one hour and five minutes before defeating two-time Commonwealth Games medalist and world number 25 Gilmour of Scotland 21-17 19-21 21-16 in the women's singles round-of-16 match.

Earlier defeated Paris Olympics bronze medalist

The 23-year-old player achieved this victory a day after defeating the Paris Olympics 2024 bronze medalist Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia. 

However, Malvika Bansod, the only Indian shuttler left in the competition, faces a tough challenge as she will face fourth seed and two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the last eight stage.

Although the Japanese shuttler has won both the matches against Malvika, the Indian shuttler came close to defeating  Yamaguchi and she is hopeful that she will be able to register victory this time.

Malvika's sensational performance in pre-quarterfinals

In the opening game against Gilmour, Malvika was down 11-5 at the break. The Indian shuttler brought down the deficit to two points at 16-14 and then won seven of the next eight points to go one game up in the contest. Gilmour, drew on her experience to mount a comeback and close a tight second game.

Malvika surged to an eight-point lead at 10-2 in the decider. She later extended her advantage to 20-11. Gilmour fought back with five consecutive points to make it 20-16 but the late fightback proved too little for Malvika, who comfortably sealed her spot in the quarter-finals.

The countdown for the Paris Olympics 2024 has started and groups have been decided for the badminton event, in which two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Thomas Cup champion HS Prannoy have got a place in the easy group. The group stage draw was held at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday. Badminton events in the Olympics will start from July 27.

Also Read: India's schedule in Paris Olympics 2024 by sports

Sindhu may face Bingjao's challenge

World No. 12 badminton player has been seeded 10th and placed in Group M of women's singles along with Kristin Kuuba of Estonia (world ranking 75) and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq of Maldives (world ranking 111). Sindhu, who won a silver medal in the Rio Games and then a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, may face a challenge from sixth seed He Bingjao in the pre-quarterfinals.

Prannoy seeded 13th

HS Prannoy, who is making his Olympic debut, has been seeded 13th and placed in Group K of men's singles along with Vietnam's Le Duc Phat (world ranking 70) and Germany's Fabian Roth (world ranking 82). 

Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen, ranked 19th in the world rankings, has been included in Group L. Apart from third-seeded Jonatan Christie of Indonesia (3), Kevin Cordon of Guatemala (41) and Julien Carraggi of Belgium (52) are in the unseeded target group. If Prannoy and Lakshya top their group, they will face each other in the pre-quarterfinals.

Also Read: Indian Debutants to watch out for in Paris Olympics 2024

Tanisha-Ashwini got a difficult group

The Indian pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, ranked 19th in the world rankings, have got a place in the difficult Group C in women's doubles. In this group, apart from the world-ranking fourth pair of Japan's Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong of South Korea (world ranking seven) and Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu of Australia are included (world ranking 27).

Men's doubles receive favourable draw

The star Indian men's pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty is being considered as a medal contender. This pair has been given third seed in the men's doubles event. Satwik-Chirag has received a favorable draw as they have been clubbed in group C where Indonesia's world number six combination of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto will be their toughest opponent. Satwik and Chirag also will have to compete with the world No. 31 German combination of Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel and world No. 43 Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar of France in the group.

There are no Indian teams in the mixed doubles badminton competition.

Paris Olympics 2024 Badminton: Draw for Indian Players

Women’s singles

Group M: PV Sindhu (India), Kristin Kuuba (Estonia), Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq (Maldives)

Men’s singles

Group K: HS Prannoy (India), Le Duc Phat (Vietnam), Fabian Roth (Germany)

Group L: Lakshya Sen (India), Jonatan Christie (Indonesia), Kevin Cordon (Guatemala), Julien Carraggi (Belgium)

Women’s doubles

Group C: Tanisha Crasto-Ashwini Ponnappa (India), Nami Matstuyama-Chiharu Shida (Japan), Kim So Yeong-Kong Hee Yong (South Korea), Setyana Mapasa-Angela Wu (Australia)

Men’s doubles

Group C: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (India), Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Indonesia), Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel (Germany), Lucas Corvee-Ronan Labar (France)