Tanvi Sharma continued her latest spectacular run, profitable bronze on the Badminton Asia Junior Championships on Saturday (July 26, 2025), together with Vennala Kalagotla, as India returned with two particular person medals for women within the occasion for the primary time ever.
Tanvi and Vennala, the final two remaining Indians in fray, went down combating to their respective Chinese opponents in straight video games in Solo, Indonesia. While Vennala saved three match factors within the second recreation earlier than happening 21-15, 21-18 to Liu Si Ya, Tanvi, the present World No. 1 in juniors, misplaced to eighth-seed Yin Yi Qing 21-13, 21-14. These had been additionally the primary medals for Indian women within the occasion since P.V. Sindhu in 2012.
The 16-year previous Tanvi, who idolises former World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying, had just lately develop into solely the fourth Indian lady to attain the ultimate of a BWF Super 300 occasion on 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 stated.
Switching between senior and junior occasions isn’t straightforward both, 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 stated, including that competing on residence base – she trains on the NCOE, Guwahati, venue for the occasion – wouldn’t matter.
Vennala, on the opposite hand, was the shock component, the present World No. 103 in juniors overcoming higher-ranked opponents earlier than falling quick within 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 previous 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.
