Tanvi Sharma’s silver medal at the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 was no overnight miracle. It was the culmination of months of preparation, consistency, and composure that shone through one of the toughest women’s singles draws in recent memory.
Starting her campaign in the Round of 64, Tanvi faced Poland’s Wiktoria Kaletka a tricky opponent known for her attacking play. Tanvi settled quickly, dictating rallies with her signature cross-court smashes and sharp retrievals. The Indian teenager clinched the match 2–0 (15–11, 15–9) to open her week on a confident note.
Her next test came against Oei Louisa Jovanka Sandi Winarto of Indonesia, another nation with a rich junior pedigree. Tanvi’s superior net control and clean defense proved too steady for Winarto’s aggression. The straight-games win (2–0) highlighted Tanvi’s ability to stay composed during long exchanges — a skill that would become vital later in the tournament.
In the Round of 16, Tanvi produced her first statement victory, defeating Sun Li Yuan of China 2–0. The Chinese contingent traditionally dominates junior events, but Tanvi broke that rhythm with patience and tactical discipline. Her deceptive pushes to the backcourt and variation in pace frustrated her opponent, setting up a quarterfinal showdown against Japan’s Saki Matsumoto.
That quarterfinal turned into a gritty three-game battle the only one where Tanvi dropped a game all week. After splitting the first two, she elevated her aggression and control under pressure to win the decider, 2–1. It was a defining moment proof that she could outlast and outthink elite Asian opponents even in tight contests. The semifinal against China’s Liu Si Ya was arguably Tanvi’s most complete performance. She dominated the net, intercepted mid-court exchanges early, and closed the match 2–0 without letting Liu dictate tempo.
That victory not only guaranteed India’s first women’s singles medal in 17 years but also underlined Tanvi’s ability to rise with each round. Her final against Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak, however, was a test of nerves more than skill. Playing before a loud home crowd, Tanvi looked unsettled early. Anyapat’s control and consistency forced a series of uncharacteristic errors from the Indian, who lost 7–15, 12–15. Despite a strong fightback in the second game including a 6–1 lead Tanvi couldn’t hold off the local favourite’s late surge.
Yet, across six matches in Bangkok, Tanvi displayed the qualities of a player built for the senior circuit tactical discipline, mental steel, and adaptability. Her ability to switch gears between defensive retrieval and front-court control reflects the all-round game that Indian badminton has been searching for in its next generation. Her achievements also carry historical weight. She is India’s first women’s singles medallist at the World Juniors since 2008, and only the third ever after Aparna Popat and Saina Nehwal.
The campaign, combined with India’s overall medal haul this year (one silver, one bronze), marks the country’s best outing since Pune 2008. Tanvi’s steady climb from Asian U17 silver to Asian Junior bronze and now World Junior silver underscores both her potential and the promise of India’s developmental structure. Still just 16, her journey represents the next wave of Indian women’s singles talent players unafraid of the workload, the competition, and the expectations that come with it.
As she returns home, Tanvi carries not just a medal but a message that Indian badminton’s future in women’s singles is bright once again.
