Meditation man Karunakaran clears mind for badminton mission

MÜLHEIM AN DER RUHR - Sathish Kumar Karunakaran (IND) is a man with a goal – to prove that it is possible to excel in men’s singles and mixed doubles badminton on the world stage.

It is a rare combination, but Karunakaran, 24, is giving it a good go. He has an individual world ranking of 47, and 32 in mixed doubles, has represented India in singles at the Sudirman Cup, and played at the All-England and Malaysia Opens. Now he’s turning his attention to the mixed doubles here at Rhine-Ruhr 2025.

"I'm not sure exactly why it is considered unusual in badminton to do this, but it is, so I am trying out something special,” Karunakaran said to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games News Service.

"They say single players can't play mixed doubles,” he added. “You have to be at the right level for both events, which is hard. But I think it can be done. It is all about mindset."

Karunakaran believes success in his quest could all be in the mind. “I am the top ranked player here so it is my ambition. It can be done. The standard is going to be high, there are some good players here, from Korea, Japan, China.

"I need to be mentally strong. I have a strong team around me. I like to visualise what I’m going to do. I also like to meditate. I can meditate for one hour, comfortably, just like that, absolutely nothing in the mind. Just the breathing.

"Initially I was struggling, I started with 10 minutes, then 20, 30. Finally, I broke one hour. I sit for one hour in the sun meditating, with no badminton on my mind.”

Singles challenge

The men’s singles will feature several top-100 players, including Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul (THA), 20, who has a world ranking of 57, Jing Hong Kok (MAS), who is ranked 77 and has played at Super500 level, and Eogene Ewe (MAS) who is ranked 87.

Returning to the tournament is Ko Shing Hei (HKG), who secured Hong Kong’s first medal in badminton at a World University Games with bronze at Chengdu 2023.

Ko caught Covid-19 and missed the first week of the competition in China but recovered in time to become one of the stars of the show.

He partners Leung Yuet Yee in the mixed doubles and will pose a challenge to Karunakaran’s title hopes.

In the women’s competition, Ling Ching Wong (MAS) is on fine form. With a world ranking of 77, she reached the last 16 at the US Open this year.

Thamonwan Nithiittikrai (THA), 21, comes into the tournament with a ranking of 75, and reached the semi-finals at the Thailand Masters 2025, a Super 300 event, while Mehta Saloni Samirbhai (HKG), 22, is ranked 78.

Anticipate a fierce fight between the three for the FISU title in Mülheim.

Germany should also put up a strong showing in the women’s competition. Experienced players such as Leona Michalski (GER) and Miranda Wilson (GER) were part of the team at Chengdu in 2023.

“I am convinced that the atmosphere and the crowd in our home arena will drive our athletes to peak performance,” said Germany’s head of badminton Kim Waßer, who is targeting the quarter-finals, with medals a tangible dream beyond that.

The action takes place at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mülheim, between 17 July and 20 July 2025 (for the mixed team), then 22 to 26 July (for the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles).

FGNS nm/kc/mb