New Delhi: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand produced a memorable campaign at the BWF World Championships 2026, securing India’s first women’s doubles medal at the tournament in 15 years.
The unseeded Indian pair’s impressive run came to an end in the semifinals after a determined three game battle against China’s world No. 1 and defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning in New Delhi on Saturday.
Treesa and Gayatri made an outstanding start, taking the opening game 21-18 and putting the heavily favoured Chinese pair under early pressure. However, the defending champions gradually regained control and responded strongly in the second game, winning it 21-13.
The Indians struggled to maintain their intensity in the decider as Liu and Tan took charge from the beginning. The Chinese duo went on to win the final game 21-8, completing a 18-21, 21-13, 21-8 victory in one hour and 11 minutes.
Despite the semifinal defeat, the result marked a significant achievement for Indian badminton. Treesa and Gayatri leave the World Championships with a maiden bronze medal and have firmly established themselves among the leading women’s doubles combinations on the international stage.
India had last secured a World Championships medal in women’s doubles in 2011, when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won bronze in London.
The latest achievement ends a 15 year wait for another Indian women’s doubles medal at the prestigious event and provides a major boost to the country’s growing presence in the discipline.
For Treesa and Gayatri, the campaign represents a breakthrough on one of badminton’s biggest stages, with their victory over several established pairs on the way to the semifinals highlighting their potential for future major tournaments.
