Lakshya Sen, H.S. Prannoy to spearhead India’s campaign at Japan Masters 2025 in Kumamoto
Kumamoto (Japan), Nov 11 — Top Indian shuttlers Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy will spearhead India’s campaign at the Kumamoto Japan Masters 2025, beginning Tuesday at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium. The BWF World Tour Super 500 event will feature a host of rising Indian players seeking vital ranking points.
Paris Olympics semifinalist Lakshya Sen will open his campaign against Japan’s Koki Watanabe, while H.S. Prannoy faces Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao in the first round. For Prannoy, this marks a comeback to competitive badminton after an injury forced him out of the Korea Open in September.
The 33-year-old has endured a tough 2025 season, failing to advance beyond the second round in any of his 14 BWF World Tour appearances this year. Lakshya, meanwhile, will aim to boost his chances of qualifying for the BWF World Tour Finals, where only the top eight players in the Race to Finals standings compete. Currently ranked 13th, a deep run in Kumamoto could keep his season alive.
Lakshya has had a mixed season, with several early exits balanced by a few quarterfinal and semifinal runs — his best being a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open.
Youngster Ayush Shetty, fresh off his US Open title India’s only BWF crown this year joins Kiran George and Tharun Mannepalli in the men’s singles draw.
In women’s singles, 17 year old Naishaa Kaur Bhatoye is India’s sole representative. The young talent, who played a young Saina Nehwal in the biopic Saina, will compete in the qualifiers, as top players including P.V. Sindhu, Anmol Kharb, and Tanya Hemanth have withdrawn from the event.
India will have no representation in men’s doubles following the withdrawal of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, while the mixed doubles pairing of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde will carry the nation’s hopes in that category.
The Kumamoto Japan Masters 2025 offers a key opportunity for Indian shuttlers to earn valuable ranking points and finish the season on a high note.
