Indian badminton celebrated a landmark moment at home soil as the junior contingent clinched a historic bronze medal in the mixed team event at the BWF World Junior Championships 2025.
The result marked India’s first-ever podium finish in the Suhandinata Cup, ending a two-decade-long pursuit of collective success and signaling a new phase in the nation’s badminton evolution. For a nation long known for producing individual stars, India’s success in the mixed team format which demands depth across five disciplines represents a significant leap forward. The event, hosted at the Badminton Association of India’s National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Guwahati, brought the best young players from across the world to India’s premier high-performance facility.
With passionate home support driving them on, the Indian juniors rose to the occasion, clinching a medal that reflects not just talent but system-level progress. India’s rise to the podium came after years of coming close but falling short in this demanding team event. The bronze medal validated the strength of India’s emerging pool of juniors, capable of competing across men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles an area where the nation historically lacked balance.
The Road to Bronze: A Thriller Against South Korea
India’s quarter-final win over South Korea was the defining chapter of their campaign a nearly three-hour marathon that tested both skill and resolve. The first set ended in heartbreak, as India lost narrowly 44–45, with Unnati Hooda’s serve landing in the net on set point. Her visible despair reflected the immense pressure these young shuttlers were under.
But the mark of a champion side is how it responds. Head coach Ivan Sozonov, the Russian doubles specialist guiding India’s pairings, made decisive tactical changes. He replaced Viswa Tej Gobburu and Aanya Bisht with C Lalramsanga and Vishakha Toppo for the second set a move that immediately changed the game’s momentum.
Lalramsanga and Bhargav Ram Arigela opened the set with a clutch 9–7 win in the boys’ doubles, setting the tone for India’s comeback. With renewed energy and rhythm, India stormed through the next two sets 45–30, 45–33, sealing their first-ever semifinal berth and confirming a historic medal. Unnati, who had endured the heartbreak of the opening set, showed remarkable mental fortitude to deliver the winning points. Alongside her, Rounak Chouhan’s 11–4 demolition of Korea’s Choi Ah Seung became one of the defining moments of India’s campaign.
The Semi-Final Test: Lessons from Indonesia
In the semifinals, India faced Indonesia, the reigning Asian Under-19 champions and a powerhouse in junior badminton. Despite a strong start with Bhargav and Viswa winning the opening boys’ doubles 9–5 and Unnati keeping India marginally ahead at 18–16 Indonesia’s depth proved too much. The introduction of world junior number one Moh Ubaidillah in the boys’ singles flipped the contest, as he overpowered Rounak 9–7, turning the tide in Indonesia’s favour. From that point, India couldn’t recover.
A 35–45, 21–45 loss ended their gold dream but ensured a bronze a result that carries long-term significance for Indian badminton.
The match exposed the areas India must strengthen especially consistency in doubles and closing out high-pressure games but also highlighted the incredible strides made in team cohesion, depth, and tactical adaptability.
Unnati Hooda was the heartbeat of India’s campaign. Already a senior circuit performer, she led with poise and determination, setting an example for her younger teammates. Her redemption after the Korea tie’s opening set showcased a champion’s mindset. C Lalramsanga emerged as the revelation of the tournament. His calm under pressure and ability to contribute across doubles and mixed formats were instrumental. His partnership with Bhargav Ram Arigela delivered consistent early points, while Rounak Chouhan’s intensity in singles brought critical momentum shifts.
Meanwhile, Vennala K and Reshika U held their own in girls’ doubles, and Vishakha Toppo’s inclusion proved tactically decisive in the knockout rounds.
Coaching and Strategy: The Sozonov Effect
The influence of Ivan Sozonov, a former All England champion, was evident throughout the campaign. His tactical substitutions and pairing strategies reflected elite-level game management something Indian teams have historically lacked in team events. His emphasis on “decision-making under stress” was instrumental in India’s quarter-final turnaround.
BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra credited the result to months of centralized training at Guwahati’s NCE:
“The players had been preparing at this venue for several months. Familiarity with conditions and the team’s unity under one roof made all the difference.”
The success validates BAI’s long-term investment in the NCE model combining world-class infrastructure, foreign coaching expertise, and centralized player development a blueprint that is now paying dividends.
This bronze is more than just a medal it’s a statement of intent. It places India among the top four junior badminton programs globally, alongside China, Indonesia, and Japan. The result also underscores the effectiveness of India’s talent development pathway, which is beginning to deliver balanced teams capable of excelling in all disciplines. However, the challenge now lies in transitioning this success to the senior level. Studies show that up to 70% of junior medalists globally fail to make an impact in senior competition. For India, ensuring that players like Unnati, Lalramsanga, Rounak, and Bhargav receive sustained international exposure and high-performance support will be critical.
BAI’s proposed “Bronze Transition Cohort” program focusing on funding, senior circuit integration, and continued technical mentorship will be key to turning this moment into a long-term success story. India’s bronze medal at the World Junior Championships 2025 is not merely a line in the record books it represents a cultural and structural shift. It’s the payoff of years of investment, a symbol of a maturing system, and the foundation of a new era where Indian badminton can stand tall not just through individual brilliance, but collective strength.
As the lights dimmed in Guwahati’s National Centre of Excellence, one thing was clear: this wasn’t the end of a campaign. It was the beginning of India’s next great badminton chapter.
