Who are Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida? Everything you need to know about Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto’s next opponents at the Paris Olympics
Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida will be the next hurdle that Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto face at the Paris Olympics. The duo are currently ranked fourth in the world, and are strong contenders to secure a podium finish at the Games.
Matsuyama and Shida have been a dynamic women's doubles duo for nearly a decade now, starting in 2015 when they won bronze at the World Junior Championships as well as the Asian Junior Championships. Two years later, the duo laid claim to their first international title when they won the 2017 Smiling Fish International.
Since then, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida have gone on to deliver many blockbuster performances, claiming 11 BWF World Tour titles between 2018 and 2024. Their most memorable outings include title finishes at the 2021 and 2022 Super 1000 Indonesia Open, as well as the 2022 All England Championships.
The duo's other gold medal outings on the BWF World Tour circuit include the 2018 Chinese Taipei Oen, 2019 US Open and Korea Masters, 2021 Indonesia Masters, 2022 Thailand Open, 2023 India and Canada Open, and 2023 China Masters.
The Japanese were also runner-ups at the 2021 BWF World Tour Finals and 2024 All England Championships.
Matsuyama and Chiharu are also the proud owners of three Uber Cup medals, two Sudirman Cup and Asian Team Championships medals, as well as one Asian Games bronze.
Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida at the Paris Olympics
Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida began their Olympic campaign on Saturday, July 27. The Japanese had a commanding start to their time in Paris, claiming a 21-18, 21-14 victory over Australia’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu.
Now, the World No.4 will battle India's Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, before taking on Tokyo bronze medalists Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee Yong for their final match in Group C.