Guwahati, Oct 20 (Prarthana Hazarika) : India’s Tanvi Sharma fought hard to win the gold but her brilliant run in the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 finished with a silver medal. The 16-year-old’s spirited effort wasn’t enough to beat Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak in the girls singles final at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati on Sunday.
In the final, Tanvi went down 7-15, 12-15 against Anyapat as India’s campaign on home turf ended with an individual silver and a team bronze. Tanvi is the third Indian female shuttler to bag a silver medal in the competition after Aparna Popat (1996), Saina Nehwal (2006).
Former Olympian shuttler Valiyaveetil Diju spoke exclusively with this writer on Tanvi Sharma’s performance.
What is your take on Tanvi Sharma’s performance at the Junior World Championship?
V Diju: It is her best performance in her badminton career. She got a good start in world circuit; with this performance it will help her to play in senior level and it will boast her confidence also.
What makes her different from the other shuttlers?
V Diju: She is a good fighter at court like Saina Nehwal. Her performance at these championships is showing her hard work and determination.
Where do you think she needs to focus or improve?
V Diju: I think she needs to improve her movement speed on court, especially after hitting the shuttle from back court quickly she needs to move to the net.
Is this a new beginning for her to make it big in the seniors also?
V Diju: Definitely, it will help her to show good performance in senior level, this medal will help her boost her confidence. She is only 16-year-old so we can expect more performance in junior level.
What is your advice to her?
V Diju: Badminton is an injury prone sport so i would say don’t get injured because she is only 16years old now and has a long way to go. Need to practice according to her body and physical condition.
