In Guwahati’s National Centre of Excellence, the second day of the Yonex Sunrise BWF World Junior Badminton Championships – the mixed‑team Suhandinata Cup – saw India and the Philippines both delivering standout performances that set the stage for the knockout rounds.
India entered Group H as the second seed and sent a fresh lineup to the court. The hosts dominated Sri Lanka, winning 45‑27, 45‑21 to secure their place at the top of the group. With a comfortable 45‑22, 45‑19 victory over England in Group D, China—now 14‑time champions—also moved ahead of the field. South Korea hammered Bhutan 45‑5, 45‑17 in Group G, while the Philippines pulled off an upset against Hong Kong in Group F, closing the tie 42‑45, 45‑28, 45‑43.
India’s route to the knockout stage was smooth, thanks to a trio of strong singles and doubles performances. Boys’ singles star Lalthazuala Hmar opened the action with a decisive win over Keneth Aruggoda (9‑2). Bhavya Chhabra and Mithileish P Krishnan followed by taking the match into a tight 18‑6 lead against Sanuda Ariyasinghe and Thisath Rupathunga. While girls’ singles player Rakshitha Sree found herself trailing 3‑8 against Ranithma Liyanage, she fought back to finish the match at 36‑21. Junior Grand Prix finalists C Lalramsanga and Taarini Suri sealed the first set with a 45‑27 win.
In the second set, Pakistan’s Rounak Chouhan led India again with a clean 45‑21 victory over Sri Lanka. Even with many newer players, the team kept a steady rhythm, leaving the Srilankans scrambling. India’s 45‑21 win in the second set confirmed their group‑topping performance and advanced them smoothly into the knockout stage.
Across the adjacent court, the Philippines sparked excitement with a historic win over Hong Kong. Jamal Pandi was the star of the event, clinching victory in boys’ singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. In their final match, the Philippines trailed 27‑36, needing 18 straight points to keep Hong Kong from widening the gap. Pandi, joined by Ralph Nino Dalojo, held their composure and delivered a stunning 45‑? score that led to a monumental win for the Filipino side.
“We’re thrilled and grateful to have trained and competed here,” said Philippine coach Escoses Lloyd after the match. “The three‑day BWF prep camp we held in Guwahati directly helped us build confidence for this tournament.” Pandi added, “We didn’t set high expectations before that final doubles match, we simply focused on playing each point well. That’s what made the difference.”
With India’s solid lead and the Philippines’ upset success, the day set the tone for a thrilling showdown in the Suhandinata Cup’s upcoming knockout phases. Fans left the arena buzzing about the rising stars on both sides, underscoring how intense and unpredictable junior badminton can be on the world stage.
Source: aninews
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