From Odisha Masters to the US Open: Ranaut's role in Rounak's breakthrough season

When 18-year-old Indian badminton player Rounak Chouhan walked onto the court at the 2026 Yonex US Open Super 300 to face World No. 6 and top seed Chou Tien Chen, few expected one of the tournament's biggest upsets.

Yet over two composed games, the young Indian delivered the performance of his career, defeating the former World Championships medalist before continuing his remarkable run to the semifinals.Behind the scenes, however, the result was months in the making.Working as part of the coaching team of Tanvi Sharma and Rounak Chouhan during the tournament, Rohit Ranaut played a key role in Chouhan's match preparation, tactical planning, and on-court coaching throughout the event.

Alongside National Coach Park Tae Sang, Ranaut helped prepare Chouhan for each round, studying opponents, refining match plans, and making tactical adjustments as the tournament progressed.For Ranaut, the US Open represented another milestone in a coaching relationship that had already produced international success.Just months earlier, he had coached Chouhan to a bronze medal at the Odisha Masters (BWF Super 100), one of the young player's first international podium finishes.

That result laid the foundation for what would become an even bigger breakthrough in California.After upsetting Chou Tien Chen, Chouhan followed with another impressive victory over Olympian Misha Zilberman, securing his first career BWF World Tour Super 300 semifinal."Coach Rohit has believed in my abilities from the beginning," Chouhan said. "His preparation before every match, tactical discussions, and constant encouragement helped me stay focused throughout the tournament.

Having him in my corner gave me confidence to play my natural game against every opponent."International badminton has evolved into a sport where success depends not only on athletic ability but also on detailed planning. Every opponent requires video analysis, technical adjustments, recovery management, and mental preparation , areas where experienced coaches make a significant difference."Every opponent presents a different challenge," Ranaut said.

"Against experienced players, you cannot rely only on physical ability. Preparation, discipline, and making the right tactical decisions under pressure become equally important. Rounak trusted the process throughout the week, and that made all the difference."Ranaut's contribution to the US Open reflects a coaching career built around athlete development. As an officially nominated coach for the Badminton Association of India, he has represented India at major international events including the BWF World Junior Championships, Syed Modi India International (Super 300), Guwahati Masters (Super 100), Odisha Masters (Super 100), Dutch Junior International, and the German Junior International.His athletes have consistently produced strong international performances, including Tanvi Sharma's silver medal at the 2025 BWF World Junior Championships, Sanskar Saraswat's title at the Guwahati Masters, Shreya Lele's bronze medal at the Hyderabad Senior International Challenge, and Rounak Chouhan's progression from an Odisha Masters bronze medalist to a US Open semifinalist.For Ranaut, however, results are only part of the story."Our responsibility as coaches is to prepare athletes for sustained success," he said. "Winning one tournament is important, but helping players develop the confidence and habits to compete consistently at the international level is what matters most."Rounak Chouhan's remarkable US Open campaign demonstrated not only the emergence of one of India's brightest young badminton talents but also the impact of collaborative coaching at the highest level. As Indian badminton continues to produce world-class athletes, coaches such as Rohit Ranaut are helping shape the next generation of international competitors through preparation, patience, and a commitment to long-term athlete development.