Even after creating history in the Asian Championship with the bronze medal in the doubles, the country’s ace paddler Sutirha Mukherjee does not seem complacent. She has already started planning for the next goal. That is to change the color of their last Asian Games doubles medal in the next Asian Games to be held in 2026. Sutirtha and Ayhika earned bronze in the last Asian Games doubles.

While speaking to Parallel Sports on Tuesday, Sutirtha revealed, “Now our goal is to change the last Asian Games bronze to the gold medal. In the next Asian Games in 2026. Before that we will be aiming for another gold medal in the next Commonwealth Games to be held in 2026.”

Sutirtha feels their rigorous training in China had helped them to build up the preparation for the Asian Championship. 

“The national preparatory camp was also held during the China Smash where all of us took part. We had an exhausting session there. But that helped us to strengthen the preparation. Both Ayhika and I obtained the opportunity to train together,” added Sutirtha. 

The Japanese pair who defeated them in the Asian Championship, lost to Sutirtha and Ayhika in the doubles final in Tunisia a few months ago. 

Sutirtha opined, “The Korean pair whom we defeated in Asian Championship acquired bronze in the Paris Olympics. So, we were elated to have defeated them in the Asian Championship. But at the same time, we need to earn dominance against Korea, China and Japan consistently. That will be our ultimate desire.” 

Sutirtha divulged they will be participating in the upcoming star contender international competition in Oman after playing a tournament in Goa.