3 weeks ago

Hariharan to make India men's doubles debut at World Championships

Hariharan to make India men's doubles debut at World Championships
Next jump-smash star Hariharan: Raised on borrowed shuttles, unpaid loans · indianexpress.com

Hariharan is a badminton player from India.

He is very good at jumping high in the air and smashing the shuttlecock down really hard.

Some coaches say his smash is world class, and it has been measured at over 470 kilometres per hour.

When he was younger, his family did not have much money for badminton.

His father worked hard to pay for his travel, and kind coaches gave him jerseys and shoes.

They even used old shuttlecocks and plastic shuttles to practise.

After his mother passed away, Hariharan used badminton to help him feel better.

A famous player named Satwik told him to move to Hyderabad to get better.

This week, Hariharan will play for India for the very first time at the World Championships in Delhi.

Key facts

Event
World Championships in Delhi (men's doubles)
Debut
First India senior appearance in men's doubles
Doubles partner
MR Arjun
National standing
India's No.2 men's doubles pair
Fastest recorded smash
Over 470kph at an international tournament
Training base
Hyderabad
Hometown
Mannargudi, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu
Coach's assessment
Pullela Gopichand called him "world class"

Quotes

Hariharan

Indian badminton player

“"Junior tournaments happened one after another, so two-day train journeys weren’t possible. But our finances were not great for expensive flight tickets."”
indianexpress.com
“"Feather shuttles were too much initially so we learnt to control plastic shuttles."”
indianexpress.com

Satwik-Chirag

Indian badminton veteran and Hariharan’s mentor

“"You come to Hyderabad. Don’t worry. You are my brother."”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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