India’s next generation of badminton talent continues to make waves on the continental stage as four medals have been confirmed at the U15 & U17 Asian Junior Championships 2025.
From the confident strides of Jagsher Singh Khurana to the composed performances of Shaina Manimuthu, Diksha Sudhakar, and the mixed doubles pair Jagjeet Singh Kajla and Jananika Ramesh, Indian shuttlers have displayed remarkable grit and maturity throughout the tournament. Their progression through tough draws, overcoming players from powerhouses like China, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand, underlines the strength of India’s junior badminton structure and the steady flow of talent emerging through the national ranks.
India’s medal campaign was kickstarted by Jagsher Singh Khurana, who secured the nation’s first podium finish after a commanding victory in the U17 Boys’ Singles quarterfinals. The young shuttler from Punjab defeated Hong Kong’s Zhan Shing Yui 21-13, 21-14 to seal a semifinal berth and ensure at least a bronze medal. Khurana’s journey to the last four has been nothing short of impressive. After receiving a bye in the opening round, he beat China’s representative 21-14, 21-17 in the Round of 32, followed by a confident straight-games win over Malaysia’s shuttler 21-12, 21-17 in the pre-quarters.
Against Zhan Shing Yui, Khurana displayed excellent court awareness and control at the net, dictating rallies with crisp attacking strokes. His consistent performances underline India’s growing strength in the boys’ singles category at the junior level a field traditionally dominated by East Asian nations. With this medal, Khurana joins the list of promising Indian youngsters capable of bridging the gap to the senior circuit in the years ahead.
Jagjeet Singh Kajla & Jananika Ramesh Add to the Tally
Shortly after Khurana’s success, India’s mixed doubles duo Jagjeet Singh Kajla and Jananika Ramesh became the second medalists for the country. Competing in the U17 Mixed Doubles category, the Indian pair advanced to the semifinals after receiving a walkover from China in the quarterfinals, guaranteeing at least a bronze. Their path to the last four was marked by tactical discipline and growing chemistry as a pair. They started their campaign with a bye in the Round of 64, followed by a straight-games victory over Japan (21-15, 21-17) in the Round of 32.
They then overcame Thailand’s duo (21-16, 21-17) in a clinical performance that showcased their coordination and ability to control midcourt exchanges. Now set to face a Taiwanese pair in the semifinals, Jagjeet and Jananika have already created an important breakthrough reaffirming India’s competitiveness in doubles at the continental junior level.
The momentum continued as Shaina Manimuthu secured India’s third medal with a superb run in the U15 Girls’ Singles event. The Chennai-based prodigy has been in blistering form throughout the tournament, showing poise beyond her years. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Japan’s Yubuki Azumaya 21-14, 21-16 in a high-quality encounter that saw her dominate with quick footwork and sharp shot placement. Before that, she had beaten China’s shuttler 21-17, 21-16 in the Round of 16 a statement victory that underlined her confidence against traditional heavyweights.
Her earlier rounds included an easy 21-10, 21-6 win over Malaysia in the Round of 32 after receiving a first-round bye. Shaina’s all-court game, calm temperament, and sharp anticipation have stood out, making her one of India’s most promising young shuttlers in the U15 category.
Diksha Sudhakar Makes It Four for India
Rounding off a memorable day for Indian badminton, Diksha Sudhakar confirmed India’s fourth medal by storming into the U17 Girls’ Singles semifinals. The 16-year-old from Karnataka produced a dominant display to defeat Indonesia’s Raisya Affatunisa 21-17, 21-8 in the quarterfinals. Her route to the semis reflects her resilience and adaptability. After a bye in the first round, she came back from a game down to beat China’s player 17-21, 21-16, 21-11 in the Round of 32 one of the biggest wins of her young career. She followed it up with a straight-games victory over Taiwan’s shuttler 21-19, 21-15 in the pre-quarters before crushing her Indonesian opponent in the last eight.
Diksha’s run demonstrates not only technical skill but also composure traits that make her a strong contender for an even higher finish as the tournament progresses.
With four confirmed medals, India’s performance at the U15 & U17 Asian Junior Championships 2025 stands as a powerful statement of intent. These results highlight the effectiveness of India’s grassroots programs and the consistent development pipeline managed through the Badminton Association of India and national academies. For players like Shaina, Diksha, Jagsher, and the mixed pair Jagjeet–Jananika, these achievements represent not just medals, but milestones on their journey toward senior international success.
As India’s young shuttlers continue to challenge Asia’s finest, the message from Hangzhou is clear the future of Indian badminton is bright, determined, and ready to take flight.
