Paris Olympics 2024 Badminton: Draw for Indian Players

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)