Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha created history on August 9 by becoming the first Indian to win the Korea Masters women’s singles title. The 26-year-old Assam player defeated China’s fourth-seeded Han Qian Xi 14-21, 21-14, 21-14 in 53 minutes, recovering after losing the opening game to claim her maiden BWF World Tour title and first Super 300 crown. The victory marked a significant comeback for Chaliha after a serious right-knee injury had kept her away from the sport. After the final, an emotional Chaliha said she was “hungry for more”.
Chaliha Fights Back To Make History
Chaliha started the final strongly but Han fought back to take the opening game 21-14. The Indian responded in the second, controlling the rallies and winning 21-14 to force a decider. The third game remained closely contested before Chaliha created a decisive gap and closed it out 21-14.
Chaliha later explained that the conditions played a role in the match. “In the first game, it was a little bit tricky because of the drift condition. So I was not able to manage it,” she said. She added that the conditions on the other side of the court were more comfortable in the second game, allowing her to control the shuttle better. “I feel really great and unbelievable. But then I am trying to digest it. Now, I am hungry for more,” she told reporters after the match.
The victory was also an emotional moment for Chaliha, who lay flat on the court after sealing the hard-fought win. The title made her the first Indian to win the Korea Masters women’s singles crown and gave her the biggest BWF World Tour title of her career so far.
Many congratulations to Assam's own and India's rising badminton star Ashmita Chaliha on clinching the BWF Korea Open- her maiden World Tour title with a clinical win over Han Qian Xi of China.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 9, 2026
As I have always said, India will dominate the badminton court for years to come. pic.twitter.com/PBm6BL9V0S
Early Love For Sport Took Root In Guwahati
Born and brought up in Guwahati, Ashmita Chaliha grew up in a family that valued sport. Her father, Dhrubajyoti Chaliha, played tennis and initially wanted her to take up the sport, but the lack of nearby tennis facilities led Ashmita towards badminton. She first picked up a badminton racquet at the age of six. She also tried swimming and tennis before badminton gradually became her focus. Chaliha later trained in Guwahati and emerged through the local and national badminton circuit.
A Comeback After A Serious Knee Injury
Chaliha’s triumph comes after a difficult period that began with a severe medial meniscus tear in her right knee in 2024. She underwent emergency surgery and spent an extended period away from competition before returning to rebuild her fitness and match experience.
Her comeback gathered momentum this year. She reached the quarter-finals of the China Masters and Malaysia Masters before progressing to the semi-finals of the Macau Open in June. At the Korea Masters, she defeated compatriot Rakshitha Ramraj 21-13, 16-21, 21-13 in the semi-final to reach her first BWF World Tour final.
Chaliha has also previously represented India at major international events. She won gold in both the women’s singles and team events at the 2019 South Asian Games and was part of India’s gold-medal-winning team at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships.
Her Korea Masters victory also came a week after fellow Indian Tanvi Sharma won her maiden Super 300 title at the Taipei Open, giving Indian women’s singles badminton back-to-back Super 300 champions.
Chaliha credited coach Park Tae-Sang for her progress, saying, “All the credit goes to coach Park. Without him, I wouldn’t have been this much energetic.”
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Ashmita Chaliha’s Korea Masters victory is a powerful reminder that sporting journeys can be interrupted without being defined by setbacks. Her return after a serious knee injury, followed by successive deep runs and finally a maiden BWF World Tour title, reflects the value of patience, perseverance and sustained support.
Her achievement, alongside Tanvi Sharma’s recent Super 300 victory, also offers encouragement to a new generation of Indian women shuttlers. As Chaliha looks ahead and says she is “hungry for more”, what more can be done to support athletes through injuries and the long road back to the highest level?
Read More: Meet Ram Gopal Kothari, First Indian To Complete North Pole And Volcano Marathons
