Badminton in National Games 2025 at Uttarakhand saw some really interesting matches.
The 38th edition of the National Games of India, held in Uttarakhand in 2025, featured thrilling badminton action across multiple categories.
Top players from across the country competed for the prestigious medals, showcasing exceptional talent and determination. The event also saw the unexpected withdrawal of ace Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen due to personal reasons, allowing emerging talents to take center stage.
This year’s tournament was particularly notable for the rise of young players who made their mark on the national circuit.
Men’s Singles
Gold: Satish Karunakaran (Tamil Nadu)
Silver: Suryaksh Rawat (Uttarakhand)
Bronze: Kaushal Dharmamer (Maharashtra) and Saneeth D.S. (Karnataka)
Satish Karunakaran clinched the gold in a hard-fought final against local talent Suryaksh Rawat, winning 21-17, 21-17. Rawat, a 16-year-old rising star from Uttarakhand, impressed the home crowd with his resilience and agility throughout the tournament.
Despite falling short in the final, his performance against experienced players showcased his potential for future success.
Women’s Singles
Gold: Anmol Kharb (Haryana)
Silver: Anupama Upadhyaya (Delhi)
Bronze: Tasnim Mir (Gujarat) and Shreya Lele (Gujarat)
Eighteen-year-old Anmol Kharb delivered a stellar performance, defeating top seed Anupama Upadhyaya in straight games (21-16, 22-20) to secure the gold medal.
Anmol had already gained national attention by winning the Senior National Championships at 16 and contributing to India’s gold-winning campaign at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships.
Her attacking gameplay and composure under pressure were key factors in her victory.
Men’s Doubles
Gold: Nithin H.V. & Prakash Raj S. (Karnataka)
Silver: Vaibhav & Ashith Surya (Karnataka)
Bronze: Teams from Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand
Karnataka dominated the men’s doubles category, with Nithin H.V. and Prakash Raj S. securing the gold against their state counterparts Vaibhav and Ashith Surya in straight sets (21-16, 21-14). Their tactical play and seamless coordination were evident in their commanding performance throughout the competition.
Women’s Doubles
Gold: Shikha Gautam & Ashwini Bhat (Karnataka)
Silver: Angel Punera & Anya Bisht (Uttarakhand)
Bronze: Gayatri Rawat & Mansa Rawat (Uttarakhand) and Arul Bala R. & Varshini V.S.(Tamil Nadu)
The experienced Karnataka duo of Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat dominated the finals, defeating Uttarakhand’s Angel Punera and Anya Bisht with a convincing 21-11, 21-13 victory.
Their aggressive net play and well-placed smashes helped them secure the title without dropping a game in the tournament.
Mixed Doubles
Gold: Satish Karunakaran & Aadya Variyath (Tamil Nadu)
Silver: Deep Rambhiya & Akshaya Warang (Maharashtra)
Bronze: Ashith Surya & Amrutha P. (Karnataka) and Nitin Kumar & Kanika Kanwal (Delhi)
Satish Karunakaran continued his impressive form by partnering with Aadya Variyath to clinch the mixed doubles gold, overcoming Maharashtra’s Deep Rambhiya and Akshaya Warang in a three-game thriller (21-11, 20-22, 21-8).
Their combination of speed and precise shot placement proved too strong for their opponents.
Team Events
Men’s Team Event
Gold: Tamil Nadu
Silver: Karnataka
Bronze: Maharashtra & Punjab
Tamil Nadu showcased exceptional skill and teamwork to win the men’s team gold, defeating Karnataka in the final. Their victory was highlighted by key performances from Satish Karunakaran and other team members, who displayed strategic gameplay and resilience under pressure.
Women’s Team Event
Gold: Haryana
Silver: Gujarat
Bronze: Delhi & Kerala
Haryana’s women’s team secured the top spot, defeating Gujarat in a hard-fought final. The team’s success was driven by standout performances from Anmol Kharb and other players, who showed remarkable consistency and determination throughout the tournament.
Conclusion
The badminton events at the 38th National Games 2025 in Uttarakhand delivered thrilling moments and highlighted India’s rising badminton stars.
This edition of the Games demonstrated the emergence of young talents like Anmol Kharb and Suryaksh Rawat, who are expected to contribute significantly to India’s badminton future. The tournament also reinforced
the strength of established state teams such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana in various
categories. With promising performances across the board, Indian badminton continues to grow,
setting the stage for greater achievements on the international stage.
