Badminton

Nguyễn Hải Đăng triumphs at the Fajr International Challenge 2024 in Iran on February 4, opening the door to the Paris Olympic Games. — Photo hanoimoi.vn

HÀ NỘI — Nguyễn Hải Đăng won his first ever international badminton title at the Fajr International Challenge 2024 in Iran on February 4.

Đăng, seed No 13, defeated No 1 Sathish Kumar Karunakaran of India 21-17, 21-18 in the men's singles final in 50 minutes.

Earlier, Đăng became the 'giant killer' as he ousted No 11 Meiraba Maisnam from India (21-17, 17-21, 21-16) in the quarter-finals and No 8 Viren Nettasinghe from Sri Lanka (21-15, 21-19) in the semi-finals.

The world No 97 Đăng is the first Vietnamese athlete taking a top podium this year.

Đăng, one of two male badminton players of Việt Nam trying to secure their Olympic spot, had never won internationally before. His best result was a second-place finish at the 2022 Croatia Open. In 2023, he won bronze medals at the Hangzhou China International Challenge in China and Sydney International Challenge in Australia.

He received 4,000 points to upgrade his world position and may enter the Road to Paris ranking's top 35 when the new list is announced on February 7.

Đăng currently has 20,870 points, while the No 34 in the list, Dmitriy Panarin of Kazakhstan, has 20,310 points.

The best 35 players and three wildcard holders will be selected to compete in Paris in July.

Đăng will next take part in the Azerbaijan International Challenge from February 5-12. — VNS