'Being Pullela Gopichand's daughter is a big baggage': Coach B Sumeeth Reddy
Player-turned-coach Sumeeth Reddy says Gayatri Gopichand's maiden World Championships medal is more than a podium finish. It's the release of years of expectation carried as the daughter of Indian badminton legend and national coach Pullela Gopichand. The team of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly defeated China's Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 to secure at least a bronze.
B Sumeeth Reddy, India's badminton coach, expressed that achieving a bronze medal for his daughter Treesa Jolly and the historic win by her sister Gayatri Gopichand holds immense significance. The victory marks the first Indian women's doubles medal at the World Championships in 15 years, ending a long wait. For Treesa, the win signifies her return from injury and her hunger to excel on the global stage.
Both sisters carry the weight of expectations, but Reddy believes it is a double-edged sword rather than a 'silver spoon' advantage, acknowledging the unique challenges it poses. The coach, Pullela Gopichand, was visibly proud of his daughters' accomplishment, congratulating them as they celebrated their victory. The pair's triumph not only brings a rare medal for India but also serves as a beacon of hope for the nation's medal streak in women's doubles, which had been uninterrupted since 2011.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Pullela Gopichand explains Treesa-Gayatri 's Worlds breakthrough timesofindia.indiatimes.com
