Back on podium after 13 years, junior girls shuttlers hope to construct on Badminton Asia Championships success

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 sport earlier than taking place 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 girls within the occasion since P.V. Sindhu in 2012.

The 16-year previous Tanvi, who idolises former World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying, had not too long ago turn out to be solely the fourth Indian girl to succeed in the ultimate of a BWF Super 300 occasion on the US Open. “There had been lots of unforced errors which was disappointing however I’m nonetheless pleased to get a medal for India after 13 years. I’ve to get stronger and I used to be not nicely additionally by means of the week so total it was okay,” she mentioned.

Switching between senior and junior occasions isn’t straightforward both, she admitted. “Out there I am going all out and play freely, the extent of gamers may be very totally different and I do know I’ve to enhance to match them. In juniors, there is a bit more strain as a result of there may be extra expectation. Add research and the stability just isn’t straightforward to handle. The massive goal now’s the World Junior Championships later this yr,” she mentioned, including that competing on residence base – she trains on the NCOE, Guwahati, venue for the occasion – wouldn’t matter.

Vennala, however, was the shock factor, the present World No. 103 in juniors overcoming higher-ranked opponents earlier than falling brief within the semifinals. “What I realised is that I’ve to work on taking part in slower opponents and preserve the rallies going, get quicker and never enable the opposite participant to manage the tempo,” the 17-year previous trainee with Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad since 2019 admitted.

“This is my first worldwide medal so I’m actually proud of the end result however I do know I can do higher. More than myself, my coaches – Rahul Yadav and Jayant Rana – could be happier in the present day. They have been instrumental in pushing me to work laborious in singles even when everybody else, together with myself, thought I used to be not adequate and will stick with doubles. This medal will push me to focus extra now however I received’t hand over doubles utterly,” Vennala insisted.