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Rankireddy and Shetty, known for their powerful play and strategic prowess on the court, have held the coveted number one ranking for an impressive 10 weeks.This accomplishment eclipses Nehwal’s previous record of nine weeks at the top, which she achieved from August 18 to October 21, 2015.
Their journey to the pinnacle of the rankings began in 2022, marked by numerous triumphs in prestigious BWF tournaments and championships. This year, their stellar performances at events such as the China Open, Malaysia Open, and India Open propelled them to the top spot. A significant milestone was their victory at the French Open, further cementing their status as the leading men’s doubles pair in the world.
The BWF ranking system considers the 10 highest-scoring events by a player or pair in the preceding 52 weeks. Currently, Rankireddy and Shetty boast an impressive 1,02,303 points on the leaderboard, maintaining a substantial lead of over 5,000 points ahead of the second-ranked South Korean pair of Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae.
This achievement adds another chapter to the remarkable journey of ‘Sat-Chi.’ Last October, they made history by becoming the first Indian doubles pair to claim the top spot in the BWF Rankings following their triumph at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Although their initial reign lasted only three weeks, their relentless pursuit of excellence has now secured their place as the dominant force in men’s doubles badminton.
Rankireddy and Shetty’s feat also puts them in esteemed company alongside other Indian badminton greats. While legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone, the trailblazer who clinched the prestigious All England Open title in 1980, was regarded as a top player during his prime, the advent of computerized ranking systems in the sport came later, underscoring the significance of ‘Sat-Chi’s’ achievement in the modern era of badminton.
(With inputs from ANI)
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