The BWF World Championships returns to India after 17 years as badminton enters a new era Badminton News:
New Delhi: Fifty days from now, the world’s best badminton players will descend on New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi (IG) Indoor Stadium for the BWF World Championships from August 17-23, returning to Indian soil for the first time since Hyderabad hosted the event in 2009. For badminton in the country, it is more than just another big tournament. It is a celebration of an extraordinary journey.Seventeen years ago, when Hyderabad hosted the Worlds, badminton in India largely revolved around one name – Saina Nehwal. Olympic medals are still a dream, world titles seem far away and a 14-year-old PV Sindhu training quietly at the Pullela Gopichand academy.Few could have predicted the change that would follow.The breakthrough came in 2011 when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the women’s doubles bronze, ending India’s 28-year wait for a Worlds medal. It was a result that changed the views and marked the arrival of a new force in world badminton.Then came the milestones in rapid succession. Saina became India’s first World silver medalist and the first women’s World No. 1 in the country. Sindhu took Indian badminton to another level altogether, winning five Worlds medals before creating history in Basel in 2019 as the country’s first world champion.But India’s rise is no longer one or two stars.Kidambi Srikanth reached World No. 1, Lakshya Sen claimed the Worlds bronze, HS Prannoy joined the podium in 2023, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and: Chirag Shetty: emerged as one of the leading men’s doubles pairs in the world. The crowning achievement came in 2022 when India lifted the Thomas Cup, becoming only the sixth country to win the prestigious title.The numbers tell the story of this change. since 2011, India has won 14 Worlds medals and finished on the podium in every edition till 2025 – an incredible 11 editions in a row.For Sindhu, returning to the Worlds in India has a special meaning. “Some of my most memorable moments and proudest achievements have come at this stage,” he told TOI. “Hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a momentous moment and a reflection of how far sport has come in our country.”Sen believes that competing at home brings a different energy. “Badminton in India has grown tremendously over the years and hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a proud moment for everyone associated with the sport,” he told this publication. For youngster Ayush Shetty, who is set to make his Worlds debut, the occasion was a dream come true. “Growing up, the Worlds was one of the tournaments I always looked forward to watching. Like every young badminton player, I dreamed of one day getting the chance to compete on that stage. Making my debut at the Worlds, and doing it when India hosted the event after 17 years, was amazing,” he said.Ponnappa, who featured in the 2009 edition and was later part of India’s historic bronze-medal breakthrough in 2011, sees the event as a reflection of the evolution of the sport. “Badminton in India has been growing since then. This is a great opportunity for our players and a special occasion for the fans to watch the world’s best compete at home,” he said.Prannoy, who vividly remembers watching the stars of the game in Hyderabad in 2009, hopes New Delhi will inspire another generation. “I’m sure this year’s Worlds will give young players the same amazing experience and make many of them dream of joining the sport,” he said.IN THE NUMBERS— 14:00World Championships medals won by India (2011-2025)— 11:00Subsequent editions with at least one Indian medal (2011-2025)— 1:World Champions:PV Sindhu (2019) – India’s first and only world champion.— 3:Indian World No. 1sSaina Nehwal (Women’s Singles)Kidambi Srikanth (Men’s Singles)Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Men’s Doubles)— 2011A landmark year for badminton in IndiaJwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the women’s doubles bronze, ending India’s 28-year wait for a World Championships medal.— 18 YEARS OLDSindhu became India’s youngest World Championships medalist(Bronze, 2013)— 31 YEARS OLDHS Prannoy became India’s oldest first-time World Championships medalist(Bronze, 2023)— 17 YEARS OLDThe World Championships will return to India after a 17-year waitFrom Hyderabad 2009 to New Delhi 2026
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