How Did Senior Nationals Kick Off with Unnati, Tanvi, Rounak, and Sanskar Saraswat?
Synopsis
The 87th Senior National Badminton Championships have commenced with an electrifying start as top players like Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma secured their spots in the next rounds. Discover how these athletes made an impact on the court and what lies ahead in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Unnati Hooda and other top seeds advanced with strong performances.
The tournament showcases both experienced and junior players.
Significant victories were recorded in both men’s and women’s singles categories.
Unnati Hooda continues to assert her dominance in the sport.
The championships serve as a platform for emerging talent in badminton.
Vijayawada, Dec 24 (NationPress) The top-seeded women's player Unnati Hooda, along with world junior championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma, seasoned player Aakarshi Kashyap, and promising junior Rounak Chauhan, achieved impressive victories to progress in the 87th Senior National Badminton Championships held on Wednesday.
Unnati, who received a bye in the initial round, dominated wildcard player Akanksha Matte with scores of 21-8, 21-18, while Tanvi kicked off her tournament with a 21-10, 21-14 win against Asian U-15 girls singles gold medallist Shaina Manimuthu.
Also moving forward was the experienced Aakarshi, who triumphed over Asian U-17 championships silver medallist Lakshya Rajesh with a score of 21-7, 21-9, while Ashmita Chaliha defeated Kavya Marvaniya 21-7, 21-11.
Notably, 16th seed Purva Barve was the only seeded competitor to face elimination, falling 21-19, 17-21, 18-21 against M Meghana Reddy in the Round of 64.
In the men’s singles, 11th-seeded Chauhan overcame Ranveer Singh 21-9, 21-13, while 12th-seeded D. S. Saneeth bested Ankit Mondal 21-7, 21-11 to secure their places in the subsequent round.
16th seed and recent Guwahati Masters Super 100 champion Sanskar Saraswat also started his tournament strong, defeating Shikhar Rallan with scores of 21-11, 21-13.
Earlier this month, Unnati Hooda and Kiran George clinched the women’s and men’s singles titles, respectively, at the Odisha Masters 2025, a BWF World Tour Super 100 event, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday.
In the women’s singles final, top seed Hooda showcased a solid performance, defeating fellow competitor Isharani Baruah 21-17, 21-10 in just over half an hour. Hooda controlled the exchanges from the beginning, preventing Baruah from gaining momentum throughout her impressive journey in the draw. Despite the setback, Baruah concluded the week on a high note with a well-deserved silver medal after a series of outstanding performances.
The men’s singles final featured an exhilarating matchup, with second seed George overcoming Indonesia’s Muhamad Yusuf in a fiercely contested three-game duel. George claimed the first game 21-14 before Yusuf made a comeback to equalize the match.
Point of View
It is evident that the Senior National Badminton Championships is a significant event showcasing the prowess and determination of our top athletes. The performances of players like Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma highlight the depth of talent in Indian badminton. This tournament not only serves as a platform for emerging stars but also as a stage for established players to reaffirm their dominance.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top players competing in the Senior National Badminton Championships?
The top players include Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Aakarshi Kashyap, and Rounak Chauhan.
What were the results of the first round matches?
Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Aakarshi Kashyap, and Rounak Chauhan all secured convincing victories in their respective matches.
Where is the Senior National Badminton Championships being held?
The championships are being held in Vijayawada.
What is the significance of this tournament?
The tournament is a key event for both established and emerging badminton players in India, showcasing their skills and competition level.
When did the championships begin?
The championships commenced on December 24.
