New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian shuttler Treesa Jolly said she had visualised herself standing on the World Championships podium every day for the past three months, making her historic bronze medal with Gayatri Gopichand all the more special.
“I actually manifested every day being on that podium. I think that’s somewhere the manifestation, that belief. Every day you dream for that. Every day you visualise yourself manifesting that. I think that you can see it actually happening today,” Treesa told IANS.
Treesa and Gayatri’s campaign ended with a 21-18, 13-21, 8-21 semifinal defeat to defending champions Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning of China. However, their run had already assured India of its first women’s doubles medal at the World Championships since Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won bronze in 2011.
The Indian pair produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating fourth seeds Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian in the quarterfinals to secure the historic medal.
Treesa credited her improved ability to balance aggression with composure for the breakthrough performance.
“When I need the aggressiveness, I just need to use that. When I need to be in a position where I need to handle the situation, I just need to be calm,” she said.
She said the approach was particularly important against Chinese opponents, where giving away easy points can prove costly.
“We were so alert, and we were not ready to give any easy points to them. In our mind, it was like they needed to struggle to get points from us,” Treesa said.
The strategy worked in the quarterfinal, where the Indian pair maintained pressure and forced their Chinese opponents into errors.
Against Liu and Tan, Treesa and Gayatri started strongly to take the opening game 21-18. The defending champions responded by winning the second game 21-13 before dominating the decider 21-8.
Despite missing out on a place in the final, Treesa said the bronze would remain one of the most cherished achievements of her career.
“This is kind of a dream come true. Arjun Award, being a World Championship medallist. I think this is an amazing week. I think in my life, I always cherish these moments,” she said.
FOLLOW NOW
