Tanvi Patri Creates History, Becomes First Indian To Reach Youth Olympics Badminton Final
Fifteen-year-old Indian shuttler Tanvi Patri scripted history on Wednesday by becoming the first Indian badminton player to reach the women’s singles final at the Youth Olympic Games, assuring the country its maiden medal in the event.
Tanvi defeated Japan’s second seed Yuzuno Watanabe 21-14, 11-21, 21-19 in a thrilling 54-minute semi-final to book her place in the gold medal match.
After comfortably winning the opening game
me, Tanvi faced a strong comeback from Watanabe, who claimed the second game 21-11. However, the Indian held her nerve in a closely contested decider to clinch the match 21-19.
Tanvi will now face China’s Yi Xin Zhang in the final. Zhang recently won gold at the World Junior Championships. The two last met in the Asia Junior Championships quarter-finals, where Tanvi lost 18-21, 16-21.
Her achievement adds to India’s badminton legacy at the Youth Olympics. HS Prannoy won silver in 2010, while Lakshya Sen finished runner-up in 2018.
