World Junior Badminton to feature top Chinese, Korean players
PUNE: All eyes will be on Saina Nehwal and Aditya Prakash as the 10th edition of the World Junior Badminton Championship begins at the Balewadi Sports City here on Wednesday.
After their gold and silver winning performances, respectively, in the Commonwealth Youth Games, Saina and Aditya are confident of making it to the podium again.
“I am waiting for the tournament to begin. I should be in the medal bracket,” said Saina, who helped India win bronze in the team event which concluded on Monday.
The ace Indian shuttler is raring to have a go at the Chinese. “I can’t say that I will win the gold medal for sure, but I am itching to take on the Chinese players. They are the best in the business.
“Though the campaign here in Pune has been a long, tedious one - CYG followed by the World team event and now the open event - I will give it my best shot,” said Saina. Aditya, the JN College lad from Bangalore, is sceptical, but the silver in CYG has boosted his morale.
“I will take every game as it comes. Can’t say if I will strike gold, but I should definitely make it to the quarterfinals.”
Aditya takes a bit of time to warm up. Recalling his encounter against Zulkarmain Iskandar Zainuddin Bin of Malaysia, when he was 7-11 down before notching up eight points on the trot and winning the match, Aditya said: “I play a waiting game. I watch his weak and strong points before making a move”.
