Tanvi Patri, a 13-year-old badminton sensation from India, has taken the junior badminton world by storm. In August, she won the prestigious Asian U-15 title in Chengdu, China, making her one of the youngest Indian shuttlers to achieve international success. Trained in both China and India, Tanvi’s journey reflects a mix of dedication, early discipline, and born talent.
Early life and background
Tanvi’s journey in badminton began at the age of 6 in China, where her father, Rabinarayan Patri, had relocated for work. Living in Kunshan, Tanvi was introduced to rigorous training methods in one of China’s premier sports hubs, under coaches Zhang Lei and Wu.
She quickly mastered the fundamentals, practicing hundreds of serves daily while learning agility and balance, which are core of the Chinese badminton training. Her father recalls the intense practice routines and discipline she developed, including a robust fitness regimen that also incorporated skating to improve her balance.
In 2020, due to the pandemic, the Patris moved back to India, where Tanvi’s talents soon attracted the attention of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) in Bengaluru. With strong foundational skills and a growing competitive spirit, Tanvi continued her training under India’s top coaches, including U. Vimal Kumar and Sagar Chopda, who recognised her technical prowess and tenacity on the court.
Achievements and early success
Tanvi’s rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. After her victory at the Asian U-15 Championships, she followed up with double titles at the sub-junior Nationals in Chennai, dominating both U-15 and U-17 categories. Known for her consistency, she went through the Asian tournament without dropping a single game and maintained an impressive record at Nationals, losing only once in twelve matches.
Her coaches praise her calm behaviour, anticipation, and ability to stay balanced under pressure. Tanvi’s success has brought her national recognition, with coaches highlighting her as one of India’s most promising young talents.
Her idol, double Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, has influenced her game, particularly his powerful smashes and dribbles, which she admires and aims to incorporate into her own style.
Future prospects
The future looks bright for Tanvi, whose parents and coaches are mindful of maintaining a healthy balance between ambition and caution. Tanvi’s ultimate dream is Olympic gold—a feat no Indian female shuttler has yet achieved. Her father and coaches are cautious about overtraining but note that Tanvi’s drive and willingness to improve are self-motivated.
Tanvi Patri could be the next big thing in Indian badminton, she stands as a promising future champion for India in the international badminton arena.
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