Devika Sihag Claims First BWF Title at Thailand Masters Super 300
Devika Sihag has made history by winning her first BWF title at the Thailand Masters Super 300, marking Indian badminton’s inaugural trophy of 2026. The 20-year-old, currently ranked 63 in the world, showcased exceptional skill and composure throughout the tournament, winning each match without dropping a single game and defeating three seeded players.
Sihag’s remarkable achievement places her in elite company, as she becomes only the third Indian woman, following Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, to secure a BWF World Tour Super 300 title. Previously, her best performance was reaching the final of a Super 100 event in 2024, where she lost to world champion Nozomi Okuhara.
Training at the Centre for Badminton Excellence in Bengaluru alongside Sindhu, Sihag has benefited from a coaching change in the past six months under Irwansyah Adi Pratama, Sindhu’s Indonesian coach. Sagar Chopda, head coach at the academy, noted that this change was essential for Sihag’s development: “At the academy, we saw that Devika and Isha [Isharani Baruah] were doing well, and we thought that they needed a change.” The coaching shift brought a renewed focus and positivity, particularly during challenging matches.
In the final match, Sihag faced Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei, who had to retire due to injury while Sihag led 21-8, 6-3. Earlier in the tournament, she demonstrated resilience by saving five straight game points to take the first game against world number 35 Huang Yu-Hsun 22-20 in the semifinals. Additionally, she triumphed over top seed Supanida Katethong in the quarterfinals, showing her capability under pressure.
Her coach, Sayali Gokhale, expressed admiration for Sihag’s performance: “I was pleasantly surprised with the way she has played. She’s been very consistent and patient in every match.” Sagar also emphasized her improvement in mentality, stating, “In this tournament, she was more consistent and aggressive, which is her game style.” Sihag herself noted that focusing solely on giving her best helped her avoid pressure during matches: “I didn’t think about losing or winning, which helped me gain confidence.”
Despite the triumph, Sihag remains grounded. After the match, she showed respect for her opponent by engaging with Goh before the presentation ceremony. With her first title secured, she plans to participate in an upcoming Challenger tournament in Azerbaijan, prioritizing her training and growth. This early success will likely propel her into the Top 40 in world rankings, offering further opportunities on the BWF circuit.
As Indian badminton celebrates this milestone, Sihag’s journey is just beginning, with fans eager to witness how she continues to evolve as a competitor in international badminton.
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn
