Youth Olympics: Tanvi Patri becomes first Indian woman to reach badminton semis

Tanvi Patri (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India's rising badminton star Tanvi Patri scripted history at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals of the badminton competition.The 15-year-old from Odisha achieved the milestone with an impressive straight-game victory over Thailand's seventh seed Kakanik Kungkaew in the women's singles quarterfinals. Third seed Tanvi prevailed 21-17, 21-13 in 39 minutes to book her place in the last four.With the win, Tanvi joined an exclusive group of Indian shuttlers to have reached the badminton semifinals at the Youth Olympics. However, she is the first woman from the country to achieve the feat.Only three Indian players had previously reached this stage. HS Prannoy won silver at the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010, while Lakshya Sen also finished runner-up at the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires. Aditya Joshi reached the boys' singles semifinals in 2014 but returned without a medal.

Japan's Yuzuno Watanabe next in Tanvi's way

Tanvi, who trains at the Centre for Excellence in Bengaluru, will face Japan's Yuzuno Watanabe in the semifinal. The Indian youngster will be looking to settle an old score against her Japanese opponent, having lost their only previous meeting at the 2024 Pathum Thani Junior International Series in Thailand.

Watanabe won that encounter 21-14, 21-10.A victory in the semifinal would guarantee Tanvi at least a silver medal and make her the first Indian woman to win a badminton medal at the Youth Olympics. Even if she loses in the last four, she will have another opportunity to fight for bronze.

Tanvi had earlier topped Women's Singles Group F with three successive victories to qualify for the knockout stage. In her final group match, she defeated Australia's Smrithi Adepu 21-4, 21-12 in a winner-takes-all contest.

Another milestone in a promising career

The Youth Olympics breakthrough adds to Tanvi's growing list of achievements. Earlier, she won the girls' singles U-17 title at the Badminton Asia U-17 and U-15 Championships in Chengdu, China, after defeating compatriot in an all-Indian final.With that triumph, she became the first Indian shuttler to win both the continental U-15 and U-17 titles.Now, the Odisha teenager has another opportunity to make history in Dakar. A place in the final would not only secure her a medal but also mark another significant milestone for Indian badminton at the Youth Olympic Games.