Rajvi Parab: School, Badminton and Dakar 2026
Rajvi Parab Balances School and Badminton for Dakar 2026
At just 16, Rajvi Parab is preparing for one of the biggest opportunities of her young badminton career while also keeping up with the demands of school. The England junior star has had to find the right balance between school exams, intense badminton training and the pressure of competing at the highest junior level. Now, that discipline has earned her a place at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics with Team GB.
Rajvi Parab’s Tough School and Badminton Routine
For Rajvi Parab, becoming an elite young athlete has never meant putting education aside. Her journey has involved managing an impressive academic workload alongside regular training and international badminton competitions.
The challenge became even greater when she had to prepare for 11 school exams while continuing her badminton routine. Instead of choosing between studies and sport, Parab worked around both commitments, showing the organisation and discipline required to develop as a professional athlete.
School Exams Did Not Stop Her Badminton Dream
Balancing school exams with badminton training can be difficult for any young player. For Parab, however, the demanding schedule became another test of her determination. Her ability to remain focused on both education and sport has become an important part of her journey towards Dakar.
Her story also highlights the reality faced by many junior athletes, who must build their sporting careers while completing their education. For Parab, both goals remain important as she moves towards the next stage of her career.
From European U17 Champion to Team GB
Parab has already produced impressive results in junior badminton. In 2025, she won the European U17 women’s singles title, defeating Ukraine’s Varvara Poperezhai 21-13, 21-8 in the final. She also reached the women’s doubles final alongside Mia Fox at the same championships.
Her progress continued into 2026. She was listed as the No. 10 seed in women’s singles at the European Junior Championships, underlining her position among Europe’s leading young badminton players.
Dakar 2026 Gives Rajvi Parab a New Challenge
Rajvi Parab is now part of a 15-member Team GB delegation selected for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. She is the sole badminton player in the delegation and will compete alongside athletes from sports including gymnastics, boxing, archery, fencing, sailing and coastal rowing.
Dakar 2026 will take place in Senegal from 31 October to 13 November and will be the first Youth Olympic Games held in Africa. Around 2,700 young athletes are expected to take part across the competition programme.
A First Major Multi-Sport Event
For Parab, Dakar will be more than another badminton tournament. It will be her first major multi-sport event, giving the 16-year-old a chance to experience an Olympic-style environment and compete for Team GB on an international stage.
Her selection reflects how far she has come since winning the European U17 title. Now, after balancing school exams with demanding badminton training, Parab has the opportunity to turn years of preparation into a memorable Youth Olympic experience.
Rajvi Parab’s Journey Continues
Rajvi Parab’s story is about more than winning badminton matches. It is also about managing education, training, competition and expectations at an age when most teenagers are still finding their direction.
With Dakar 2026 approaching, the young badminton star will now look to enjoy her first Youth Olympics and continue building her career. From school exams to international courts, Parab’s journey shows that determination and discipline can help young athletes chase sporting dreams without giving up on education.
