{
  "id": 2618125,
  "title": "Dhols, chants and belief: How Delhi turned a World Championships semi-final into a homecoming",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/dhols-chants-and-belief-how-delhi-turned-a-world-championships-semi",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T17:20:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/dhols-chants-and-belief-how-delhi-turned-a-world-championships-semi-final-into-a-homecoming/articleshow/133428331.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delhi transformed a World Championships semi-final into a homecoming, with temperatures soaring at 33 degrees Celsius outside the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The atmosphere inside was electric, with a buzz that was palpable. Gate 7 became the focal point for many, as they eagerly awaited the Indian women's doubles semi-final between Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Pullela Gopichand.\n\nThe stadium's air conditioning was on full blast for the 15,000-seater event, creating a similar ambiance to the growing crowd. The players faced off in a grueling three-game contest, with the Indian team emerging victorious in the first game, and the crowd behind them throughout. Handmade posters and chants echoed throughout the venue, with fans chanting \"C mon Pullela!\" and \"Jolly Jolly\" as their team earned points.\n\nAs the match progressed, the crowd's energy ebbed and flowed with the intensity of the game. When the Chinese duo began to take the lead, the crowd's decibel levels rose, matching the Indians' determination on the court. By the third set, the Chinese team's relentless pressure took its toll, and the Indians' effort flagged. The fans, however, remained steadfast, believing in their 23-year-old heroes. Ultimately, the victory was not theirs, but the stadium made its mark that day.",
  "summary": "The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi was abuzz with energy as Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand took on China's top seeds in the BWF World Championships semi-finals. The packed stadium created an unforgettable atmosphere, with chants, dhols, and unwavering support driving the Indian pair throughout their 64-minute contest. According to the Times of India, the crowd's passionate display was one of the tournament's defining moments.\n\nThe Indian pair ultimately fell short, earning a bronze medal. The event saw other notable performances, including Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia, who secured a spot in the men's doubles final. They defeated South Korea's world No. 1 Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae with a battling 21-17, 21-18 win, as reported by the New Straits Times.\n\nAaron-Wooi Yik will meet either China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang or Taiwan's Lee Jhe Huei and Yang Po Hsuan in the title showdown. This marks a significant achievement for the Malaysian pair, who became the first from their country to win the world crown in 2022.",
  "key_points": [
    "Delhi hosted World Championships semi-final with 33°C outside",
    "Indian women's doubles team won first game, fans chanted \"C mon Pullela!\"",
    "Stadium atmosphere electric despite Indian team's eventual loss"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Aaron-Wooi Yik storm into World Championships final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/aaron-wooi-yik-storm-into-world-championships-final",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:26:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}