Much has changed over these 17 years since BWF World Championships last travelled to India. The 2009 hosts were a tiny presence on the global badminton map then. A previous generation’s feats were far in the past, while a younger one was just heralding a new era for Indian badminton.
A 19-year-old Saina Nehwal had just become the first Indian to win a BWF Super Series title. Also, China’s domination on the game was absolute, led by the likes of Lin Dan, Chen Jin, Xie Xingfang, and more in every category. At the Hyderabad edition of the Championships, they pocketed 10 of the 20 medals and four of the five golds.
Read more: India will have to be in top of medals tally to be called a sporting nation: Saina Nehwal
At the next two and the 2012 Olympics, the Chinese took home all five golds. In 2026, with the capital hosting the tournament at a refurbished Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, starting tomorrow till August 23, none of the countries enjoys that kind of command over the courts. And, India has long graduated from participation-happy to medal-winners.
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