Parents Watch Son's Worlds Debut After 13 Years

For badminton player M R Arjun, advancing to the second round of the BWF World Championships held personal significance, largely due to the presence of his parents. After a nearly 13-year absence, they attended his match live, a moment made possible by their recent retirements from government and teaching professions.

Arjun recounted how he encouraged his parents to attend this major event on home soil, noting their excitement. His father had previously accompanied him to junior tournaments but Arjun later preferred traveling with coaches. Work commitments had prevented his parents from attending for years.

With both parents now retired, their support adds emotional depth to the championship for Arjun, who stated, "I would love to medal for them." His wife, married in February, has also been a consistent supporter, attending several recent tournaments.

On court, Arjun and his partner Hariharan Amsakarunan started their campaign with a win when their Irish opponents retired due to injury while leading 6-4 in the second game. Arjun acknowledged the crowd's energy as a significant boost, but the most cherished support comes from his parents' long-awaited live presence.