Ashmita Chaliha, an Indian shuttler, has secured her first BWF World Tour title at the Korea Masters 2026. The athlete from Assam achieved this milestone by defeating Han Qian Xi of China in the women’s singles final. Chaliha’s victory in Asan, Korea, marked a significant comeback, particularly after recovering from an injury.
The final match saw Chaliha rally from an initial setback, ultimately winning in three games. She overcame Han Qian Xi, the fourth seed, with scores of 14-21, 21-14, and 21-14. The summit clash lasted 53 minutes, showcasing Chaliha’s resilience and strategic play.
Chaliha’s Path to Victory
In the final, Chaliha faced an early challenge, losing the first game 14-21. However, she responded with strong performances in the subsequent games, securing them both 21-14. Her ability to dictate rallies and employ powerful attacking shots proved crucial in turning the match in her favour.
During the second game, Chaliha established an 11-8 lead at the interval and maintained her advantage, moving to 17-10 before closing it out. The decisive third game was closely contested initially, with Chaliha taking a 5-2 lead, only for Han to move ahead 11-9 at the mid-game break. Chaliha, however, regained momentum, moving ahead 12-11 with a precise winner and extending her lead to 15-11 with another exceptional shot.
Prior to the final, Chaliha advanced by defeating fellow Indian Rakshitha Ramraj in the semifinal. Her semifinal scores were 21-13, 16-21, and 21-13. Han Qian Xi, on the other hand, reached the final after overcoming G Kim of South Korea with scores of 22-20, 18-21, and 21-14 in her semifinal match.
Remarkable Comeback After Injury
This victory is particularly notable as it marks a successful return for Chaliha following a three-month layoff. She had suffered a medial meniscus tear in her right knee during the Korea Open in 2024, which required surgery and an extensive rehabilitation period. Chaliha returned to competition in February of the following year and participated in 14 events.
Before focusing on building strength for a full elite BWF calendar load, she competed in a couple of events this year. Her strong comeback on the BWF Tour included reaching back-to-back quarterfinals at the China Masters and Malaysia Masters, followed by a semifinal appearance at the Macau Open. Chaliha, currently ranked world number 50, trains under Park Tae-Sang at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati.
Chaliha’s win continues a strong run for Indian shuttlers on the BWF Tour, coming after Tanvi Sharma’s Taipei Open victory. This marks back-to-back BWF World Tour finals won by Indian players. Chaliha expressed her feelings about the win, stating, “I feel really great and unbelievable. But then I am trying to digest it. Now, I am hungry for more.”
Previous Achievements
Before securing her first BWF World Tour title, Ashmita Chaliha had already achieved success in other competitions. She won the gold medal at the 2024 Asia Team Championships. Additionally, at the 2019 South Asian Games, Chaliha earned gold medals in both the women’s singles and team events, demonstrating her consistent performance on the international stage.
Her recent victory at the Korea Masters Super 300, held in Asan, Korea, adds another significant achievement to her career. The tournament is part of the BWF World Tour Super 300 series.
Source: newsonair.gov.in
