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Shankar shocks World No. 2 Anders AntonsenÂ
Indian 21-year-old shuttler S. Shankar Muthusamy Subramanian sank the world of badminton by defeating World Rank 2 Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the Swiss Open, one of the BWF World Tour Super 300 events. The event was, however, breath-taking in terms of skill and grit and Shankar’s efforts were matched with success at the end. The Chennai Based shuttler Subramanian is ranked 64 at the worldwide level and defeated Anton in a very thrilling three set encounter that ended in his favour with 18-21, 21-12, 21-5. It surely was a remarkable match and a career-defining win for Shankar. Surely it was because of two years of extensive training with his coach Arvindan Samiappa who has helped him Staying disciplined and focused.
Into the Quarter finals
Shankar, who won a silver medal at the 2022 World Junior Championships, is now scheduled to play Frenchman Christo Popov, World No. 31, in the quarterfinals. Popov, with his excellent defensive play, is another tough test. “Christo’s game is very much like mine in defense. I am excited about the match,” Shankar expressed.
Coach Aravindan Samiappan was impressed about his ward’s performance. “It’s huge. It has not sunk in. Actually, we have been working for the last two years on his offence. When he reached the quarterfinals of the Thailand Masters this year, we knew he’ll get the break. He had a few niggles on his right knee from last year, which didn’t turn out to be great. We hope the victory over Antonsen will propel him. Hopefully he will crack the World’s Top 50 soon,” he stated.
Shankar’s thought About Swiss Open
I’ve been playing well in the Swiss Open, being quite sharp with my strokes more than usual. The win over Antonsen is a huge confidence booster,” Shankar told Sport star from Basel. He emphasized the importance of his earlier wins against M. Tharun and Magnus Johannesen, another Danish player, whom he defeated 21-5, 21-16 in the first round.
India’s badminton rising star after Lakshya Sen!!
Shankar’s recent rise calls to mind another Indian badminton superstar, Lakshya Sen. Both players are the future of Indian badminton, but their paths have been different. Lakshya Sen, with his aggressive approach and meteoric rise, had early success overseas, reaching the All England Open final and winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal. His ascension was characterized by solid performances against high-ranked opponents, making him a fixture in the upper rungs of the game.
Shankar, meanwhile, has also had a steady rise. While his ability has been evident right from his early days, his emergence at the senior level came gradually.
In contrast to Lakshya’s meteoric ascension, Shankar’s path is defined by determination and steady refinement of his craft. He has exhibited an amazing capacity to learn, adapt, and step up to the challenge.
Both of them represent the emerging talent pool in Indian badminton, but they present contrasting roads to success.
Shankar’s Quarterfinal Quest: Can He Continue His Remarkable Journey?”
Finally, Shankar Muthusamy Subramanian’s triumph over Anders Antonsen is not an upset, but a tale of development and the rise of a potential star. Heading into his quarterfinal battle against Christo Popov, the Indian badminton community observes with eagerness, hoping this triumph is only the first step towards a legendary ride. His tale is the essence of resilience, and his play has brought a fresh wave of optimism to Indian badminton.
By- Vaishanvi Ghag
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