In Guwahati, India’s gridiron of badminton talent saw a historic moment when 16‑year‑old Tan Sharma made the first Indian woman in 17 years to lock a medal at the 2025 BWF World Junior Championships. The National Centre of Excellence hosted a tight quarter‑final in which Tan reversed a deficit to beat Japan’s Saki Matsumoto 13‑15, 15‑9, 15‑10, earning a place in the girls’ singles semi‑finals.
The win means Tan gets a guaranteed medal. She had already won bronze at this year’s Badminton Asia Junior Championships and now joins a short list of Indian women who have stood on the world junior podium. Saina Nehwal topped the list with gold in Pune in 2008, plus a silver in 2006, and Aparna Popat captured silver back in 1996.
Twice, Tan opened with the edge. In the first game she led 10‑6 before Matsumoto stormed back with seven straight points. Tan clawed the game from the deuce line but eventually slipped to 13‑15. In the second game she steadied her shot selection, slashing it to a 15‑9 margin. The third set saw both players trading errors, but Tan regrouped, stringing four quick points to reclaim the lead at 9‑8. She then fired a mix of flat tosses and cross‑smashes, breaking Matsumoto’s rhythm and finishing 15‑10.
“Playing against Matsumoto is tough because she slows the game down,” Tan said after the match. “I had to stay aggressive. I’m happy to be sure a medal.” She now heads to the semi‑finals against Liu Si Ya of China.
In the other girls’ quarter‑final, Liu crushed Sri Lanka’s Ranithma Liyanage 15‑9, 15‑6. However, India’s hopes for a second girls’ medal dropped when Unnati Hooda fell 15‑12, 15‑13 to Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak. The match exposed Unnati’s front‑court challenges as Anyapat’s quick drops and smashes outpaced her.
On the boys’ side, Gnana Dattu fought hard against Liu Yang Ming Yu of China but lost 15‑11, 15‑13. Mixed doubles saw Bhavya Chhabra and Vishakha Toppo exit after a 15‑9, 15‑7 defeat to Hung Bing Fu and Chou Yun An of Chinese Taipei.
Key results (updated 5:30 PM)
- Girls’ singles: Tan Sharma (IND) beat Saki Matsumoto (JPN) 13‑15, 15‑9, 15‑10.
- Boys’ singles: Mo Zaki Ubaidillah (INA) edged Zi Sheng Wu (CHN) 15‑6, 17‑15.
- Mixed doubles: Hung Bing Fu/Chou Yun An (TPE) beat Bhavya Chhabra/Vishakha Toppo (IND) 15‑9, 15‑7.
The pitch hotly contested matches set up a thrilling semi‑final stage, leaving India eager for silver and bronze at the world junior championships.
Source: ianslive
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