Ashmita Chaliha has achieved a historic victory by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament. The 26-year-old from Assam defeated China's Han Qian Xi in a compelling final. This triumph is especially noteworthy given Chaliha's prior struggle with a significant knee injury, from which she underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Her recovery and subsequent success, including defeating higher-ranked opponents in earlier rounds, underscore her resilience and determination. The win has been widely celebrated as a proud moment for Indian badminton and a testament to the growing talent pool in the country.

Ashmita Chaliha has achieved a historic victory by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament. The 26-year-old from Assam defeated China's Han Qian Xi in a compelling final. This triumph is especially noteworthy given Chaliha's prior struggle with a significant knee injury, from which she underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Her recovery and subsequent success, including defeating higher-ranked opponents in earlier rounds, underscore her resilience and determination. The win has been widely celebrated as a proud moment for Indian badminton and a testament to the growing talent pool in the country.

Ashmita Chaliha has achieved a historic victory by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament. The 26-year-old from Assam defeated China's Han Qian Xi in a compelling final. This triumph is especially noteworthy given Chaliha's prior struggle with a significant knee injury, from which she underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Her recovery and subsequent success, including defeating higher-ranked opponents in earlier rounds, underscore her resilience and determination. The win has been widely celebrated as a proud moment for Indian badminton and a testament to the growing talent pool in the country.

Over the past few years, Indian badminton has been churning out talents one after the other. The latest addition to that list is Ashmita Chaliha, the 26-year-old from Assam, who made history on August 9 by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters Super 300.

“History made in Korea!”, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) wrote on its social media handle. Ashmita won the Korean title by defeating Han Qian Xi of China. The scorecard showed 14-21, 21-14, 21-14.

The match was almost a fight between two equals. According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Ashmita’s win percentage in the match stood at 53 per cent; she won two games to one, and took seven consecutive points against five made by Han Qian Xi. This was also the first time the two faced each other.

Ashmita is the current BWF World No. 50 in the women's singles rankings. In the quarter-finals, she defeated World No. 22 and top seed of the tournament Hina Akechi of Japan. In the semi-finals, she defeated her Indian compatriot Rakshitha Ramraj 21-13, 16-21, 21-13.

Injured at Korea Open, Crowned at Korea Masters

Two years ago, Ashmita suffered a knee ligament tear during the Korea Open Super 500. The severity of the injury forced her to undergo surgery, which was followed by an extensive rehabilitation period. She later started training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Guwahati, which helped her regain her form. “A milestone moment for the NCE trainee,” said the BAI.

“Many congratulations to Assam's own and India's rising badminton star Ashmita Chaliha on clinching the BWF Korea Masters — her maiden World Tour title — with a clinical win over Han Qian Xi of China. As I have always said, India will dominate the badminton court for years to come,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.

“A proud moment for Assam and Indian badminton… Ashmita’s journey is a powerful story of resilience, determination, and belief,” said the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Assam, while congratulating the shuttler.

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