Jumar–Urmi create history by reaching mixed doubles final

Bangla Press Desk:   Al Amin Jumar and Urmi Akter continued to deliver good news for Bangladesh, lighting up the night of the weekend just as they had done in the morning. The pair created history in Bangladeshi badminton by reaching the final of the mixed doubles event at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge.

Earlier in the day, Jumar and Urmi had already secured at least a bronze medal, but by nightfall, they went one step further, ensuring a place in the final. This marks the first time Bangladesh has reached the final of any event in the history of the tournament. Previously, bronze was the country’s best achievement.

The historic moment came on Friday night, 19 December, at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium, where the Bangladeshi duo defeated Thailand’s Kunlapat Lhothong and Sarisa Janpeng in straight games, 21-11 and 21-14, to seal a 2-0 victory in the semifinals. The final will be held on Saturday afternoon, where Jumar and Urmi will face Malaysia’s Datu Anif and Clarissa San in the title match.

Earlier in the morning, the Bangladeshi pair had booked their place in the semifinals by beating India’s Swastik Matharasan and Keerthi Manchala in a hard-fought quarterfinal, winning 21-16, 19-21, 21-18 in a three-game encounter.

After the semifinal match, Urmi Akter said, “I said in the morning that we want to become champions, and we are moving towards that goal. We have reached the final, and now we want to win the title.”

Al Amin Jumar echoed her confidence, saying, “I have been playing mixed doubles with Urmi for the last seven years. We are performing well this time too. The preparation for the SA Games has helped us a lot.”

Team coach Elina Sultana praised the duo’s achievement, saying, “Urmi and Jumar have created history for Bangladeshi badminton. I hope they will win the final and write that history in golden letters.”

BP/SP