Indian badminton players delivered a mixed set of results at the BWF World Junior Championships 2026 in Cairo, with several promising youngsters advancing to the round of 32 across different categories.
Tanvi Patri and Shaina Manimuthu were among the standout performers in the girls’ singles competition, registering comfortable straight-game victories to keep their campaigns alive.
Tanvi displayed impressive control against Anastasija Kichayeva, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), securing a convincing 15-6, 15-10 victory. Shaina produced an equally dominant performance against Chinese Taipei’s Chih-Yun Cheng, winning by the identical scoreline.
Meanwhile, Tanvi Reddy Andluri faced a tougher challenge against Malaysia’s Sue Mei Teoh. After taking the opening game 15-12, the Indian lost the second 13-15 before recovering strongly to claim the decider 15-7.
However, Parul Choudhary’s campaign came to an end following a 10-15, 3-15 defeat against China’s Yin Yi Qing.
India also enjoyed several encouraging results in the boys’ Under-19 singles competition.
Dev Ruparelia comfortably defeated England’s Anish Nair 15-7, 15-7, while Akhil Reddy Bobba overcame the Netherlands’ Vihaan Shah 15-12, 15-12 in a closely contested encounter.
Nishchal Chand produced one of the day’s most determined performances against China’s Xu Ji Ning. After winning the opening game 15-13 and losing the second 13-15, Nishchal held his nerve to secure a 15-11 victory in the deciding game.
Jagsher Singh Khangurra also advanced without much difficulty, defeating Mauritius’ Pranav Bhaugeerothee 15-4, 15-3.
In mixed doubles, Divyansh Agrawal and Varna Prabhuanand delivered a commanding performance against the UAE combination of Nathan Mathew and Taralaxmi Karthikeyan, winning 15-4, 15-8.
However, Yogansh Singh and Aanya Bisht suffered a disappointing defeat against Malaysia’s Khairul Azlan Khashah and Nur Aina Maisarah. The Indian pair won the opening game 15-8 but lost the next two 6-15, 7-15.
Yogansh faced another setback in boys’ doubles, partnering Aathish Sreenivas P V in a defeat against Germany’s Aditya Gahirwal and Luan Wolber.
India recorded one victory in girls’ doubles, with Aanya Bisht and Angel Punera overcoming Germany’s Juna Bartsch and Marie Fein. The reported score was 15-8, 12-15, although the deciding game’s result was not provided.
Despite some early exits, India’s young shuttlers showed encouraging form across singles and doubles events.
With several players progressing to the next round, the Indian contingent will look to build on these performances as the tournament continues in Cairo.
