South Korea: In badminton, veteran Indian shuttler HS Prannoy and emerging women’s singles player Tanvi Sharma will lead a depleted Indian contingent at the Korea Open 2026, with several of the country’s top players opting out of the BWF Super 500 tournament beginning today at Jinnam Stadium in South Korea. India will be without two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, men’s doubles stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and the ace men’s singles shuttler Lakshya Sen.
Prannoy will be India’s sole representative in the men’s singles after Sen’s withdrawal. The former world No. 6, currently ranked 38th, will open his campaign against South Korea’s Asian Games bronze medallist Yoo Tae-bin. In the women’s singles, Tanvi Sharma and Anmol Kharb will carry India’s hopes in the main draw. Malvika Bansod and Ashmita Chaliha, were also part of the women’s singles draw but have withdrawn from the competition. India’s men’s doubles representation will be limited to Arjun Reddy Pochana and Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu, who will begin their campaign in the qualifying rounds. In women’s doubles, Ritika Thaker and Sonali Singh will represent India, while Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K will compete in the mixed doubles main draw.
[AIR News]