India, last edition’s bronze medalists, began their Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Macau in Group D at the Qingdao Sports Centre Conson Gymnasium in China on Wednesday.
The emphatic win also secured India’s place in the knockout stage. They will now take on two-time runners-up South Korea in the second Group D encounter on Thursday to decide the group winner.
National Games mixed doubles gold medallists Sathish Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath set the tone for India with a clinical 21-10, 21-9 triumph over Leong Iok Chong and Ng Weng Chi in the opening mixed doubles fixture.
Lakshya Sen extended India’s lead, defeating Pui Pang Fong 21-16, 21-12 in the men’s singles, while Malvika Bansod sealed India’s knockout berth with a dominant 21-15, 21-9 victory over Chan Hao Wai in the women’s singles.
India fielded a new men’s doubles combination of MR Arjun and Chirag Shetty, who breezed past Macau’s Pui Chi Chon and Vong Kok Weng 21-15, 21-9, making it 4-0.
The women’s doubles pairing of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly completed the rout with a resounding 21-10, 21-5 win over Ng Weng Chi and Pui Chi Wa, capping off India’s flawless start to the tournament.
Result:
India bt Macau 5-0 (Sathish Karunakaran/Aadya Variyath bt Leong Iok Chong/Ng Weng Chi 21-10, 21-9; Lakshya Sen bt Pui Pang Fong 21-16, 21-12; Malvika Bansod bt Chan Hao Wai 21-15, 21-9; MR Arjun/Chirag Shetty bt Pui Chi Chon/Vong Kok Weng 21-15, 21-9; Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly bt Ng Weng Chi/Pui Chi Wa 21-10, 21-5).
