Bhubaneswar: India’s young shuttlers continued their impressive run at the BWF World Junior Championships, with Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Ramraj and Unnati Hooda storming into the girls’ singles pre-quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Top seed Tanvi Sharma led the charge with a commanding 15-12, 15-7 victory over Indonesia’s Oei Winarto. The 16-year-old, who has been in fine form throughout the tournament, displayed remarkable composure and court control, barely allowing her opponent any chance to settle into the match.
Eighth seed Unnati Hooda, one of India’s brightest badminton prospects, also breezed through her third-round clash. She outclassed Alice Wang of the United States 15-8, 15-5 in a contest that lasted under half an hour. Unnati’s pace, net dominance, and sharp attacking play once again underlined why she is seen as a future star in Indian badminton.
Meanwhile, 10th seed Rakshitha Sree Ramraj was made to work hard for her spot in the last 16. After dropping the first game 11-15 against Singapore’s Aaliyah Zakaria, Rakshitha rebounded superbly to win the next two games 15-5, 15-8. Her resilience and tactical adjustments turned the match around, ensuring India will have a strong triple presence in the pre-quarters.
In the boys’ singles category, Gnana Dattu TT kept India’s hopes alive after an all-Indian clash. He overcame compatriot Suryaksh Rawat 11-15, 15-6, 15-11 in a gritty three-game battle to reach the next round.
Elsewhere in the tournament, the early exit of defending champion Xu Wen Jing has opened up the lower half of the draw, increasing the opportunities for India’s rising stars to push deeper into the competition.
With three girls and one boy advancing, India’s campaign in the World Junior Championships has gained significant momentum. The next rounds promise tougher challenges, but Tanvi, Unnati, and Rakshitha’s confident performances suggest that India’s next generation of shuttlers is ready to make a strong statement on the world stage.
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