Anmol Kharb, India’s rising badminton talent, is on a remarkable journey. After helping secure India’s Asian Team Championship gold earlier this year, the 17-year-old recently marked a new milestone in her career by clinching her first individual international title. On Saturday, she triumphed at the Belgian International Challenge in Leuven, overcoming a tough field to claim victory.
Anmol’s road to recovery has been anything but easy. After sustaining a severe ankle injury at the Uber Cup in May, she endured months of rehabilitation and uncertainty. However, her determination and mental resilience paid off as she made a stunning comeback, defeating World No. 80 Amalie Schulz in a gripping final. The match ended 24-22, 12-21, 21-10, showcasing Anmol’s ability to bounce back from adversity.
Special Title for Anmol Kharb
“This title will always remain close to my heart,” Anmol said after her win as per Indian Express. Despite the joy, she remains focused on the future, with the Poland International Challenge coming up next week. The Faridabad-born player’s journey to Belgium was chaotic, with visa issues and delayed flights, but her perseverance carried her through seven matches in three days.
“It was crazy – I got my visa on September 10, flew out on the 11th, and went straight to the venue to play my first match. All this chaos just makes you stronger mentally,” she reflected, after her whirlwind trip.
Battling Adversity on and off court
Anmol’s path to victory was filled with tough moments. In the semifinal, she faced Bulgarian World No. 68 Kaloyana Nalbantova and was pushed to the brink before securing a 21-13, 24-26, 21-19 win. “The last game was tough. I used to think Asian players were tougher, but European women are strong in long rallies,” she said, acknowledging the challenge.
In the final against Schulz, Anmol was initially trailing but fought back to claim the first game. Despite a difficult second set, she regained her focus and dominated the third. “I just told myself it’s a new game, and I have to focus,” she said.
Anmol Kharb on overcoming injury
Anmol’s injury during the Uber Cup was a significant setback, with doctors advising her to stay off the court for months. However, with the support of her coaches and family, she gradually regained her strength. Parupalli Kashyap and Pullela Gopichand both played vital roles in her recovery, with Gopichand urging her to train harder and stay patient as she adjusted to the demands of the senior circuit.
Now training at the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, Anmol has transformed her game, focusing on technique and mental toughness. “There’s been a huge change in my game, but I had to be patient,” she said, confident that more victories will follow.
With the Poland International Challenge on the horizon, Anmol’s determination remains unshaken. “I need to adopt the mentality of ‘jeetna hi hai’ (must win), though the opponents don’t make it easy,” she laughed, as she looks ahead to her next challenge.
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