The men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty scripted history at the Paris Olympics 2024.
With one group match remaining and one pair withdrawing, the medal-chasing Indian men’s doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics on Monday. In what was meant to be their second Group C encounter on Monday, the German pairing of Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel were to take on the world-ranked Indians. However, Lamsfuss’s injury forced him to withdraw, and the game was called off.
In accordance with the BWF General Competition Regulations for group stage competition, the outcomes of all matches between Lamsfuss and Seidel, whether completed or pending, shall be deemed “deleted”. Points earned in games against the Germans will not be added.
As a consequence, there will be three pairs competing in Group C of the men’s doubles competition: Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian of Indonesia, and Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar of France.
Winners at the Asian Games Satwik-Chirag and the Indonesian duo both won a match, both against Frenchmen Corvee and Labar, who were eliminated after two defeats.
Satwik-Chirag and Ardianto-Alfian pairs have advanced to the quarterfinals since each of the four groups has two couples that make it.
The Satwik-Chirag team will play the Ardianto-Alfian pair on Tuesday to determine the team’s leader.
According to the BWF, the draw for the men’s doubles knockout round will take place on Wednesday.
The German teams of Lamsfuss and Seidel had earlier declared their withdrawal from the tournament, according to the BWF.
“German men’s doubles player Mark Lamsfuss has withdrawn from the Olympic Games Paris 2024 badminton competition due to a knee injury,” according to the BWF.
“Lamsfuss’ and teammate Marvin Seidel’s remaining Group C matches against India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Court 3, 8.30am local time, 29 July 2024) and Lucas Corvee/Ronan Laaiod bar of France (Court 1, ‘Not Before’ 2.50pm, 30 July 2024) will not be played,” it stated.
The victory the Indonesians had against Lamsfuss and Seidel on Saturday was also wiped out as a result of the German pair’s withdrawal.
On Saturday, Satwik and Chairag defeated Corvee and Labar, a French combination, 21-17, 21-14, to start their season.
