20-Year-Old Indian Shuttler Reaches First Super 300 Final
Devika Sihag made badminton history by fighting back from five game points down to reach her first BWF Super 300 final at the Thailand Masters. The unseeded Indian player turned an almost certain defeat into a stunning comeback victory over the world's 35th-ranked player.
When 20-year-old Devika Sihag found herself staring at five game points against her on Saturday, most players would have accepted defeat. Instead, she saved every single one and went on to storm into her maiden BWF Super 300 final at the Thailand Masters in Bangkok.
The unseeded Indian shuttler defeated world number 35 Huang Yu-Hsun of Taiwan 22-20, 21-13 in a remarkable semifinal comeback. Trailing 15-20 in the opening game, Devika reeled off seven consecutive points to seal the first game and never looked back.
"After saving five game points in the opening game, I was just thinking I will play positively and it worked for me," Devika said after her victory. Her strategy of pushing her opponent into longer rallies paid off as Huang's game crumbled under pressure.
The world number 63 has been training at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bangalore since she was 12 years old. Her journey hasn't been easy. Growing up, she battled repeated knee issues related to her patella that kept hampering her progress.
Why This Inspires
What makes Devika's story so compelling is her quiet determination to overcome physical setbacks. Unlike many aggressive young players, she's known for being soft-spoken and methodical in her approach.
Her coach Vimal Kumar, former India coach and director at her training academy, spotted her talent at a camp in 2017. "She is extremely talented. She is very tall and lean and has been working hard on building her leg strength," he explained.
That hard work is clearly paying off. Last year, Devika claimed her maiden international title at the Malaysia International and won the National title. Over the past four months, she's been training alongside Olympic medalist PV Sindhu under an Indonesian coach.
Her rise has been steady and consistent. In 2024, she lifted trophies at the Swedish Open and Portugal International, showing she has what it takes to compete at higher levels. Now she faces Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei in Sunday's final for her biggest career win yet.
For a young athlete who once struggled just to keep her knees healthy, reaching a Super 300 final represents years of patient perseverance finally bearing fruit.
Based on reporting by The Hindu
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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