B. Sai Praneeth has become the first Indian male shuttler in 36 years to secure a medal at this year’s World Badminton Championship in Switzerland. He secured a straight-game victory over Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie which pushed him into the semifinals.  

This is a very big win. The last time it was Prakash Padukone and since then no Indian men’s player has won a medal at the World Championships. So yes, it is big and I am very happy. 

Prakash Padukone won a bronze medal for India in 1983. Praneeth was honored with an Arjuna Award a week back and notched up a 24-22 21-14 win against Asian Games World No. 4 Jonatan in the quarterfinals.  

World No. 19, Praneeth will now take on the defending champion and world No.1 Kento Momota of Japan.