When 18-year-old Garret Tan knocked out India's crowd favourite Lakshya Sen in a stunning upset at the ongoing badminton World Championships in Delhi, there was another unusual sight around him. On his coaching chair were two women - something very rare in men's singles badminton at the highest level.
Paula Lynn Cao Hok, 41, is Tan's childhood coach, an Olympian and now the team manager of the USA. Lauren Lam, 23, plays doubles and had stayed back after losing to India's Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly on Tuesday. They both sat there to support the teenager, while quite likely being the mastermind of the back-court attack tactic that undid the India No 1.
After the thrilling win, both women celebrated with him on court in a tender show of emotion. Later, they would say how they look at Tan as a mother and older sister, making this win truly a family moment. Tan's mother was also around, an active part of his badminton arrangements.
Later, both spoke glowingly about the young man, more than the player, in a distinctly wholesome assessment that so often gets sidelined in elite sport.
"He's super hard working, god-fearing Christian and very dedicated to the sport. He actually inspires me as an athlete too. Seeing my little brother working hard like that pushes me as well. So we push each other," Lauren told reporters after.
She trains at the Orange County academy in south California, where Paula was Tan's childhood coach. Female badminton coaches are rare back home in US as well, says Laura, but Paula is an exception. The Philippines-born former player became a US citizen in 2011 and represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympics, among other events.
Her being there with Tan, who currently shuttles between Taiwan and US for training, in this big match was almost serendipitous, a result of her being the team manager of what is a relatively small contingent. She leaves tomorrow morning, before Tan will play the now biggest match of his young career - against second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn. But she is certain he will manage by himself too, calling him a curious player who is always asking questions to learn more.
Paula was also the mastermind behind the tactical ploy that exploited Lakshya's weakness on the back corner. "We noticed," she said with a smile. "Lakshya is very good at the front court and was putting a lot of pressure. That's why we wanted to keep him away and also slow down the pace of the game." It's a good insight, one that should not be underplayed in this upset against a player who has the best of facilities available to him.
There are female coaches on the badminton circuit but it's a rare sight, more so in men's singles. The only prominent one is Victoria Kao, veteran Chou Tien Chen's physio and travel partner who is a regular fixture at big tournaments.
Now there is one more, in one of the most underdog upsets at the big stage of a World Championship. It's a small moment in a big picture result, but it's one to be noted for the uniqueness of it.