A fortnight that taught Tanvi Sharma more than a medal could

Be sharper. Be stronger. Be patient.

That’s the mantra going forward for Tanvi Sharma, the first Indian female medallist at the BWF World Junior Championships since Saina Nehwal clinched gold in Pune in 2008 – a month before she was born.

On Sunday, in front of a near-capacity crowd at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Guwahati, Tanvi finished with a silver after being outplayed by Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak in the final.

It ended a two-week long campaign, starting from mixed team competition followed by the individual leg. Tanvi was also a member of the squad which clinched a first-ever team medal – a bronze – even though she wasn’t fielded in the knockout fixtures.

The event ended with the 16-year-old girl from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, learning some important lessons as she continues to grow and plays more on the senior circuit in the future, having already made a Super 300 final at the U.S. Open which made even the legendary Chen Long take notice.

“To reach the next level, I have to develop patience to play rallies, improve endurance and better my net game. I have to work on power and strength,” she said, with the silver medal around her neck. For someone who is currently reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits on her elder sister’s recommendation, this should be achievable.

The 16-year-old top seed became just the third Indian to win a girls singles medal after beating Japan’s Saki Matsumoto 13-15, 15-9, 15-10 in the quarterfinals.
| Photo Credit:
RITURAJ KONWAR

Coming back to the contest against Phichitpreechasak, the Indian thought it wasn’t the same version of the Thai girl she had beaten two years ago at the Asian Junior Championships. In fact, even at this year’s edition in July, the Indian, who won a bronze medal, observed Phichitpreechasak and felt “she was normal.”

But at NCE, the venue where Tanvi has been training for a year, the 17-year-old Phichitpreechasak had the answers to the home favourite’s variety of strokes and deception.

“She was very good. She read my game a lot. Wo khadi hoke sab deceptive shots le rahi thi (she stood her ground and read all my deceptive shots). Her drops and half smashes were very sharp,” said Tanvi.

While she may have fallen at the final hurdle, the overall experience will be helpful in the long run. Heading into the tournament, Tanvi had to recover from a high fever. She felt that she wasn’t even in her best form.

“When the team event ended, the coach said that you should give your best in individuals because you can get a medal. But I knew where my body stood. Nevertheless, I thought, ‘Okay, I will give my best. Baaki jo hoga bhagwaan ke upar hai (the rest is up to God),’” she said.

After three straightforward wins, Tanvi faced Japan’s left-hander Saki Matsumoto in the quarterfinals, a test that pushed her to the brink. “I was down 5-8 in the third game. So, the coach told me to give my everything. What is the worst that can happen? It’s your last World Juniors. Because of that match, I played the finals,” recalled Tanvi.

Tanvi Sharma in action against Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak in the final.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

The battle against Matsumoto was followed by Tanvi’s best match of the tournament – a 15-11, 15-9 victory over China’s Liu Si Ya, the Asian Juniors silver medallist. She was in the zone.

But the nerves crept in early in the final. “I wanted to play with full enthusiasm. But wo match mein thoda nervousness dikh gaya tha (I was a little nervous in that match). It came in the beginning itself, after three or four points,” admitted Tanvi.

“I feel happy and sad. If I had played well and lost in the finals, I wouldn’t be sad. But after making so many mistakes, it hurts.”

For now, Tanvi can relax and perhaps, enjoy watching her favourite cartoon Doraemon and comedy shows.

It won’t be long before she resumes training and prepares herself for the next assignment – the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain later this month.

Published on Oct 20, 2025