India’s rising badminton stars, Tanvi Sharma and Aalisha Naik, have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Badminton World Junior Championships 2024 in Nanchang, China. Their impressive performances in the tournament have brought them closer to a shot at the prestigious title.
Tanvi Sharma shines with confident win
Fifteen-year-old Tanvi Sharma, who earlier made headlines by finishing runner-up at the Senior National Championships in 2023, continued her stellar run. In the round of 16, she defeated Japan’s Niina Matsuta in straight sets, 21-18, 21-13, in a match that lasted 36 minutes. Displaying composure and control, Tanvi moved into the quarterfinals, where she faces a tough challenge against the third-seeded Chinese player, Xu Wen Jing.
Tanvi’s consistent performance on the court highlights her as one of India’s brightest young badminton talents, and her upcoming match will be a key test of her skills at this international stage.
Aalisha Naik powers through
Aalisha Naik, 18, also secured her spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Malaysia’s Lim Zhi Shin. The Teenager won her round of 16 clash in a confident manner, with identical scores of 21-17 in both sets. The match, which lasted 30 minutes, saw Aalisha hold her nerve and secure the win.
She will now face China’s Dai Qin Yi in the quarterfinals, aiming to continue her strong run in the tournament. Aalisha’s determination and resilience on the court make her a strong contender as she takes on another formidable opponent.
Mixed Doubles pair falters
India’s mixed doubles duo, Bhargav Ram Arigela and Vennala Kalagotla, faced a tough challenge against China’s fourth-seeded pairing of Li Hong Yi and Zhang Jia Han. Despite their efforts, the Indian pair went down 13-21, 16-21, exiting the tournament at the round of 16 stage.
Next up: Pranay Shettigar
Later in the day, Pranay Shettigar is set to play his round of 16 match in the men’s singles category. He will be looking to join Tanvi and Aalisha in the quarterfinals, hoping to add to India’s growing success in the championships.
As India’s young shuttlers continue to make their mark, all eyes will be on the quarterfinals to see how far these rising stars can go.