Solo
India celebrated a proud moment at the Badminton Asia Juniors Individual Championships as two young players, Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla, claimed bronze medals in the women’s singles event. This marks the first time two Indian girls have stood on the podium in the same edition of the tournament.
Vennala played her heart out in the semifinal against China’s Liu Si Ya. She lost 15-21, 18-21 in a 37-minute match. In the second game, she was down 15-20 but fought back to save three match points. Unfortunately, a mistake at a key moment ended her dream of reaching the final.
Tanvi, the second seed, faced Yin Yi Qing of China in her semifinal. She lost 13-21, 14-21 in 35 minutes. After falling in the first game, she started strong in the second with a 6-1 lead. However, Yin fought back, tied the score at 8-8, and went on to win.
Tanvi had impressed earlier in the tournament, defeating Indonesia’s fifth seed Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan 21-19, 21-14 in just 35 minutes to reach the last four.
Vennala also had a thrilling quarterfinal. She beat Thailand’s Janyaporn Meepanthong in a long 58-minute match. After winning the first game 21-18, she lost the second 17-21. In the deciding game, she held her nerves to win 21-17 and reach the semifinal.
Both girls have shown great promise and made the country proud with their fighting spirit.