Historic Victory: Tanvi Sharma Secures Medal at BWF Junior Championships

Guwahati, October 17 (PTI) marks a significant moment in Indian badminton as Tanvi Sharma etched her name in history by securing a BWF World Junior Championships medal, the first for an Indian in 17 years. Sharma exhibited outstanding resilience, coming back from a game down to defeat Japan’s Saki Matsumoto. Her victory, with scores of 13-15, 15-9, 15-10 in a nail-biting 47-minute quarterfinal, thrilled spectators at the National Centre of Excellence.

However, it was a bittersweet day for Indian badminton as eighth seed Unnati Hooda, the youngest Indian ever to capture a Super 100 title at the 2022 Odisha Open and a 2022 Uber Cup squad member, exited the tournament after a 12-15, 13-15 loss to Thailand's second seed Anyapat Phichitphon in a brisk 32-minute quarterfinal, falling short of clinching a medal.

India's mixed doubles pairing of Bhavya Chhabra and Vishakha Toppo also saw their campaign conclude in the quarterfinals, succumbing 9-15, 7-15 to the Chinese Taipei partnership of Hung Bing Fu and Chou Yun An.

The last instance of an Indian female player standing on the world junior podium was by Saina Nehwal, who captured gold in the 2008 edition in Pune. Prior to Saina, the only other Indian women to achieve such a feat were Saina herself with a silver medal in 2006 and Aparna Popat, who earned a silver in 1996.

Top-seeded Tanvi, having already claimed a bronze at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships earlier this year, initiated her quarterfinal match aggressively. She appeared dominant, securing a 10-6 lead, but a series of errors enabled Matsumoto's comeback as the Japanese seized a lead by winning seven consecutive points. Though Tanvi regained her footing momentarily, she eventually dropped the first game.

The US Open finalist showcased improved shot selection in the second game, accelerating to a 15-9 win. Yet, errors cropped up once more at the beginning of the third game, where nerve-wracking moments saw Tanvi trailing 5-8 at the change of ends. Nonetheless, her nerves settled as she clinched four consecutive points to seize a 9-8 lead, and she relentlessly utilized her flat tosses and cross smashes to outmaneuver Matsumoto. "It is difficult to play against Matsumoto as she slows down the game. So, I knew that I had to be aggressive. I am happy that I am assured of a medal," stated Tanvi, who faces China's Liu Si Ya next. Liu Si Ya advanced by defeating Sri Lanka's Ranithma Liyanage 15-9, 15-6 in her quarterfinal.

Despite Tanvi's triumph, India’s hopes for an additional medal in girls singles were shattered as Hooda struggled with front-court movement and was repeatedly outplayed by Anyapat’s sharp cross drops and smashes, even as she valiantly contested each point.

In the boys' singles quarterfinals, Gnana Dattu delivered a valiant performance against China’s third seed Liu Yang Ming Yu. Despite Dattu's spirited attempt, he concluded his tournament journey with a 15-11, 15-13 defeat.