Indian Players Shine as Tanvi, Unnati, and Rakshitha Reach Pre-Quarterfinals

Indian badminton players have made a strong impression at the BWF World Junior Championships 2025, with top seed Tanvi Sharma, eighth seed Unnati Hooda, and tenth seed Rakshitha Sree Ramraj advancing to the pre-quarterfinals. The tournament, taking place at the National Center of Excellence in Guwahati, saw these athletes overcome initial challenges on November 1, 2025.

Tanvi Sharma faced Indonesia’s Oei Winarto, winning decisively with scores of 15-12 and 15-7. Unnati Hooda followed suit, defeating Alice Wang from the USA 15-8, 15-5. Rakshitha Sree Ramraj, after dropping the first game, rallied to win against Singapore’s Aaliyah Zakaria with a score of 11-15, 15-5, 15-8.

While the girls’ singles players are generating excitement for potential medals, India’s hopes in the boys’ singles rest primarily on Gnana Dattu TT. He secured a victory over fellow Indian player Suryaksh Rawat, seeded 15th, with a comeback score of 11-15, 15-6, 15-11.

Strong Performances and Future Matches

The mixed doubles team of Bhavya Chhabra and Vishakha Toppo also advanced, overcoming Denmark’s Aske Romer and Jasmin Willis with scores of 15-13, 15-11. This success adds to the momentum of a 25-member Indian contingent competing at the championships, where the girls’ singles players are seen as strong contenders.

Tanvi Sharma was the first to take the court on Wednesday, establishing an early lead at 9-4 against Winarto. Despite facing a brief decline due to unforced errors, she regained control to clinch the first game. The second game was less competitive, highlighting Tanvi’s dominance.

“The drift was a little tricky today; otherwise I was comfortable,” said Tanvi, who will face Chinese newcomer Li Yuan Sun next. Li previously upset ninth seed Liao Jui-Chi 15-12, 15-12.

Rakshitha initially struggled against Aaliyah Zakaria, falling behind 2-12 in the first game. However, she found her rhythm, eventually taking control in the subsequent games. “When she reached 8 points, it felt like a big lead and I felt pressure. But then I scored 6-7 points and gained confidence,” Rakshitha noted. She will next compete against Sri Lanka’s fourth seed Ranithma Liyanage, who defeated Malaysia’s Ler Qi Eng 15-9, 15-12.

Other Results and Challenges

In the boys’ singles, Gnana Dattu’s comeback victory showcased his resilience, especially as he managed a lat muscle pull leading up to the tournament. Once he found his rhythm, the 17-year-old, who has previously earned a bronze medal in the Asian U-17 championships, demonstrated command over his match.

Unfortunately, not all players advanced. Rounak Chouhan put up a commendable fight against China’s Li Zhi Hang but ultimately lost 11-15, 12-15. Additionally, Lalthazuala Hmar was defeated by 14th seed Riyan Malhan from the UAE with scores of 13-15, 6-15.

The tournament continues to unfold, with the Indian players showing promise as they aim to add to the 11 individual medals that India has previously secured in the history of the BWF World Junior Championships. As the competition progresses, the performances of these young athletes will be closely watched by fans and supporters alike.