SENIOR shuttler of the city Kiran V Makode played excellently to cruise into pre-quarterfinals of the mixed doubles 50+ category in the ongoing BWF World Senior Badminton Championships being played at Jeonju, South Korea. Kiran and his partner Ruchita Sharma defeated Sabastien Grad and Marie Noelle Lechaplupe of France in three exciting games 21-11, 13-21, 21-19 to enter last 16. Kiran and Ruchita started well and took early lead of 5-2 and then extended it to 11-6 to wrap up the first game on 21-11. In the second game, Sebastien and Marie pair came back strongly and led 11-4. Kiran and Ruchita fought back but lost the second game 13-21.

 

The third and final game saw both pairs engaging each other in long rallies without giving much room with scores tied from 6 to 9. However, Kiran & Ruchita took the decisive lead of 11-9 at break. French pair with excellent placements fought back and levelled scores at 14. However, with sustained attacks, Kiran and Ruchita went ahead with a commanding lead of 19-15. But Sebastien, with razor sharp serve and flat cross court drives, levelled the score at 19-19. Kiran then slammed two excellent smashes to take last two points.

 

In PQF, Makode and Ruchita will play against third seeds Carsten Loesch (Denmark) and Julie Bradbury (England).

Makode is representing Indian team for the 6th time in this prestigious biennial Badminton World Federation Senior World Championship. Earlier, he has represented Indian Team in 2009 at Spain, 2013 at Turkey, 2015 at Sweden, 2017 at Kochi (India), and in 2019 at Poland.