14-year-old Indian shuttler Tanvi Patri clinched the title at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships 2024, held in Chengdu, China. By securing this title, Tanvi became only the third Indian shuttler to be crowned the Asian U-15 champion, following in the footsteps of Samiya Imad Farooqui (2017) and Tasnim Mir (2019).
Tanvi, who entered the tournament as the top seed, delivered an outstanding performance throughout the competition, not dropping a single game in her run to the title. In the final match, she faced Vietnam’s second seed, Nguyen, and emerged victorious with a 22-20, 21-11 win in just 34 minutes.
The final, however, was not without its challenges. In the opening game, Tanvi found herself trailing 17-11 and appeared to be on the back foot. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure, capitalizing on a series of unforced errors by her opponent to close the gap and eventually take the first game 22-20. The momentum shift proved decisive, as Tanvi dominated the second game, cruising to a 21-11 victory to seal the championship.
Tanvi’s journey to the final was marked by equally impressive performances. In the semi-finals, she secured a commanding 21-19, 21-10 win over Thailand’s sixth-seed Kungkaew Kakanik, completing the match in just 31 minutes. Her consistent form throughout the tournament underlined her dominance in the U-15 category and established her as one of the brightest young talents in Indian badminton.
India’s success at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships was not limited to Tanvi’s triumph. Gnana Dattu added to the medal tally by securing a bronze in the boys’ U-17 singles category. Dattu reached the semi-finals but was defeated by Indonesia’s Radithya Bayu Wardhana in a hard-fought match that ended 9-21, 21-13, 21-13. Despite the loss, Dattu’s performance was commendable, contributing to India’s impressive showing at the championships.
The Indian contingent, consisting of 39 players, returned home with two medals—one gold and one bronze—from the prestigious tournament. This result is consistent with India’s growing stature in the sport, particularly in nurturing young talent.
In the previous edition of the championships, held in the same city, India had also performed well, bagging one gold, one silver, and one bronze, with Bornil Changmai winning the U-15 boys’ singles title.
Tanvi Patri’s victory adds to India’s rich legacy in badminton, especially in the U-15 category, and highlights the potential of the country’s young athletes on the international stage. Her achievement will undoubtedly inspire many other young shuttlers in India, further strengthening the nation’s future in the sport.
