Indian sisters Rutaparna and Swetaparna Panda have thrilled spectators at the ninth Lagos International Badminton Classics after powering into the women’s doubles final, where they will face fellow Indians Kavipriya Selvan and Simran Singhi.
The 27-year-old Rutaparna and her 21-year-old sister, seeded No. 2, secured their final berth with an impressive 21-8, 21-13 victory over South Africa’s Amy Ackerman and Johanita Scholtz in the semi-finals. They had earlier defeated UAE siblings Myssha Omer Khan and Taabia Khan in the quarter-finals after receiving a first-round bye.
The sisters said their performances had boosted their confidence ahead of Saturday’s final. Swetaparna described the day’s results as encouraging, while Rutaparna admitted the schedule had been demanding but said they were fully prepared for the title clash. Both players also praised the warmth of Nigerians and the reception they had received during their visits to the country.
The Pandas attributed their progress to hard work, family support and a balanced approach to training, including attacking and defensive play, fitness and mental strength. Rutaparna noted that Nigeria had been a lucky destination for her, recalling that she previously won bronze in an international challenge in the country, while this year she is now chasing gold with her sister.
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