Korea Masters 2023 badminton: India’s challenge ends in first round with Tanya Hemanth’s loss

India’s Tanya Hemanth was ousted in the first round at the Korea Masters 2023 badminton tournament after losing to Ga Ram Kim in the women’s singles event in Gwangju, the Republic of Korea on Wednesday. 

Hemanth, world No. 59, lost to the local shuttler 21-15, 21-10 in 32 minutes at the Gwangju Women's University Stadium. Ga Ram Kim is 83rd in the latest badminton rankings.

Ga Ram Kim raced to a 3-0 lead in the first game. Though Tanya Hemanth mounted a comeback to level the scores at 8-8, the South Korean shuttler took the next five points and held onto her lead to win the first game.

The second game proved to be a one-sided affair with Tanya Hemanth unable to withstand Ga Ram Kim’s intensity. Ga Ram Kim went into the break with a six-point lead at 11-5 and extended it to seal her place in the round of 16.

Results at the Korea Masters will count towards players’ qualifying rankings for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The qualification window for badminton started on May 1 this year.

Tanya Hemanth’s loss also ended India’s challenge at the Korea Masters. Hemanth, who won the Iran Fajr International earlier this year, was the only Indian badminton player competing in the BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament at Gwangju.

Malvika Bansod and Ashmita Chaliha were also slated to face off in the first round of the women’s singles. However, both the Indian shuttlers withdrew ahead of their match.

India’s top stars like PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen had decided to skip the tournament.