New Delhi [India], August 23 (ANI): Gayatri Gopichand, who won a women's doubles bronze medal at the BWF World Championships 2026 along with her partner Treesa Jolly in New Delhi on Saturday, expressed delight after winning the women's doubles bronze with Treesa Jolly at the BWF World Championships.
With the Asian Games ahead, Gayatri said the duo is proud to have earned their place through their performance and will now return to training with the aim of giving their best for India.
Treesa and Gayatri clinched a bronze medal after their spirited fight against world number one Chinese combination of Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning ended in a three-game loss in the women's doubles semifinals of the BWF World Championships 2026.
Treesa and Gayatri, ranked 39th in the world, had accounted for three seeded pairs to reach the semifinals, ending India's 15-year wait for a women's doubles medal since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa achieved that feat back in 2011,
Gayatri and Treesa won the opening game 21-18 before the Chinese defending champions bounced back to win the next two games 21-13, 21-8 and seal their place in the final.
Speaking to ANI, Gayatri expressed her happiness at winning the World Championships bronze, calling the achievement special after an eventful week. She said the duo will celebrate briefly before returning to training and focusing on giving their best at the Asian Games.
"It feels amazing, feels amazing. I think this whole week has been very eventful, but I'm super happy that we bagged this bronze medal and I think I'm just really happy; I don't know what to say," she said.
"I think definitely being a part of the Asian Games is huge. So yeah, I think we're just going to go back, celebrate a little bit and then I think we're going to get back to work, practice and yeah, just hoping to give our best at the Asian Games as well," she added.
Gayatri Gopichand said her father and coach, Pullela Gopichand, was extremely emotional and happy after their victory. She said his advice to her and Treesa Jolly has been to stay calm, remain focused and enjoy their game without feeling pressure.
"I think he was really, really happy. Even after the quarterfinals, I think he was super happy, and the only thing he tells Treesa and me is to stay calm, to be focused and to enjoy. Go out there and enjoy, so there's no pressure at all. But yeah, I think he's just extremely emotional and happy," she said.
Gayatri said their strong off-court chemistry with Treesa comes from having fun, supporting each other and staying patient, especially during injuries. She added that they focus on giving their 100% on court.
"I think it's just super fun. I think we just have fun all the time, so yeah, we just support each other, stay patient even with the injuries and stuff. When I'm injured, she's there; when she's injured, I'm there. I think, yeah, we just want to stay patient, have fun and yeah, go out there and give our 100%. That's it," she said. (ANI)
"Feels amazing": Gayatri Gopichand reflects on BWF World Championships bronze medal, reveals father's advice
