Back on podium after 13 years, junior women shuttlers hope to build on Badminton Asia Championships success

Tanvi Sharma continued her recent impressive run, winning bronze at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships on Saturday (July 26, 2025), along with Vennala Kalagotla, as India returned with two individual medals for women in the event for the first time ever.

Tanvi and Vennala, the last two remaining Indians in fray, went down fighting to their respective Chinese opponents in straight games in Solo, Indonesia. While Vennala saved three match points in the second game before going down 21-15, 21-18 to Liu Si Ya, Tanvi, the current World No. 1 in juniors, lost to eighth-seed Yin Yi Qing 21-13, 21-14. These were also the first medals for Indian women in the event since P.V. Sindhu in 2012.

The 16-year old Tanvi, who idolises former World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying, had recently become only the fourth Indian woman to reach the final of a BWF Super 300 event at the US Open. “There were a lot of unforced errors which was disappointing but I am still happy to get a medal for India after 13 years. I have to get stronger and I was not well also through the week so overall it was ok,” she said.

Switching between senior and junior events isn’t easy either, she admitted. “Out there I go all out and play freely, the level of players is very different and I know I have to improve to match them. In juniors, there is a little more pressure because there is more expectation. Add studies and the balance is not easy to manage. The big target now is the World Junior Championships later this year,” she said, adding that competing on home base – she trains at the NCOE, Guwahati, venue for the event – would not matter.

Vennala, on the other hand, was the surprise element, the current World No. 103 in juniors overcoming higher-ranked opponents before falling short in the semifinals. “What I realised is that I have to work on playing slower opponents and keep the rallies going, get faster and not allow the other player to control the pace,” the 17-year old trainee with Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad since 2019 admitted.

“This is my first international medal so I am really happy with the result but I know I can do better. More than myself, my coaches – Rahul Yadav and Jayant Rana – would be happier today. They have been instrumental in pushing me to work hard in singles even when everyone else, including myself, thought I was not good enough and should stick to doubles. This medal will push me to focus more now but I won’t give up doubles completely,” Vennala insisted.