Asian Games: Defending champions Satwik-Chirag suffer shock first-round exit
Defending Asian Games men's doubles badminton champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were eliminated in the first round by Thailand's Pakkapan Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun. The Indian pair lost in three games after winning the first set.
Why it matters
This represents a significant upset in the badminton tournament, as the Indian pair were considered top medal contenders.
NEW DELHI: India suffered a major setback in badminton at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday as defending men's doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out in the opening round.The fourth-seeded Indian pair, who were among the country's leading medal hopes, were stunned by Thailand's Pakkapan Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun, losing 21-12, 19-21, 14-21 in a contest that lasted one hour and eight minutes.The defeat ended Satwik and Chirag's bid to defend the gold medal they won at the previous edition of the Asian Games.Satwik-Chirag surrender early advantageThe Indian duo made an impressive start and appeared to be in control after taking the opening game 21-12 in 20 minutes.However, Teeraratsakul and Sukphun gradually found their rhythm and turned the contest around.
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