How Did Vennala Kalagotla and Tanvi Sharma Propel India on Day 1 of the Asia Junior Individual Championships?
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Synopsis
India's badminton stars, Vennala Kalagotla and Tanvi Sharma, notched impressive victories on the opening day of the Badminton Asia Junior Individual Championships 2025. Their success sets a thrilling tone for the tournament. With a strong start, can India maintain this momentum throughout the championships?
Key Takeaways
- Vennala Kalagotla and Tanvi Sharma shone in their singles matches.
- India's junior badminton team showed promise despite mixed results.
- Strong performances in both singles and doubles events.
- Resilience displayed against former champions Japan.
- Indian players are poised for future successes.
Solo (Indonesia), July 24 (NationPress) The journey for India at the Badminton Asia Junior Individual Championships 2025 commenced impressively, spearheaded by Vennala Kalagotla and Tanvi Sharma, who both triumphed in their matches with standout performances in the singles events.
In the women's singles, Vennala Kalagotla showcased her skills with two consecutive victories — a quick-fire 21-6, 21-10 win against Alissa Kuleshova in just 15 minutes, followed by a 21-18, 21-16 result against Indonesia’s Auberta Zerlina, securing her place in the Round-of-32 on Thursday. The second seed Tanvi Sharma also made her mark, easily defeating the UAE’s Vaidehi Kalidasan with a score of 21-6, 21-6, while Tanvi Reddy Andluri won against Cheok Ian Ung with a score of 21-9, 21-10.
In the men’s singles category, Pranauv Ram Nagalingam outperformed Myanmar’s Lal Zuidika with a score of 21-15, 21-7. Ansh Negi also secured victory, overcoming Ding Han Jin with 21-16, 21-15, while Hmar Lalthazuala and Rounak Chouhan both achieved straight-game wins.
In the doubles events, the pair of Kalagotla/Reshika Uthayasooriyan defeated Vietnam’s Nguyen Vu Ngoc Tran/Pham Thi Truc An with a score of 21-16, 21-14, while Gayatri/Mansa Rawat narrowly edged past Andrea Hernandez/Mary Untal with 21-17, 21-18. The mixed doubles duo Vishnu Kode/Keerthy Manchala clinched a close victory in a challenging match, finishing 22-20, 16-21, 21-19.
On a less favorable note, Rujula Ramu and the team of C Lalramsanga/Taarini Suri faced early exits from this prestigious tournament for junior badminton players.
Earlier, India’s junior badminton team demonstrated strong resilience despite a loss of 110-104 against former champions Japan in the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships.
The match was intensely competitive under the relay scoring system, with India initially leading after a narrow 11-9 loss in the first match. The boys’ doubles pair of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu put India on the scoreboard. The girls’ duo of Vennala Kalagotla and Reshika Uthayasooriyan then pushed India ahead with a score of 33-26. Reshika later partnered with Bhavya Chhabra to maintain the lead at 44-35, while Rounak Chouhan further extended the advantage.
Despite leading for most of the tie, Japan, the reigning champions of 2023, surged ahead in the final moments, winning the last five matches consecutively. Many of these matches were closely contested, highlighting the determination and skill of the Indian team.
Point of View
It is evident that the performance of our junior badminton players at the Asia Junior Individual Championships is a source of national pride. Their skill and determination reflect the promising future of Indian badminton. Despite setbacks, the resilience on display against formidable opponents like Japan shows the strength of our emerging talent.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leading players for India in the Asia Junior Individual Championships?
Vennala Kalagotla and Tanvi Sharma are leading India’s campaign, both securing victories in their singles matches.
What were the results of the women's singles matches?
Vennala Kalagotla won with scores of 21-6, 21-10 and 21-18, 21-16, while Tanvi Sharma won 21-6, 21-6.
How did the Indian junior badminton team perform in the Mixed Team Championships?
India fought hard but lost 110-104 to Japan in the quarterfinals, showcasing strong performances before ultimately falling short.
What is the significance of the Badminton Asia Junior Individual Championships?
This championship is crucial for junior shuttlers to gain international exposure and experience, helping them develop their skills for future competitions.
What was the overall performance of the Indian team?
The team demonstrated resilience and skill, with several players achieving impressive victories, although some faced early exits.
