Indian badminton talents Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla clinched bronze medals at the Asian Junior Championships, learning crucial lessons about overcoming their formidable Chinese rivals.
A Historic Bronze for India
In a significant moment for Indian badminton, Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla secured bronze medals at the recent Asian Junior Championships in Solo, Indonesia. Their performance marks the first time in 13 years that India has medalled in women’s singles at this prestigious event, a feat last achieved by star player PV Sindhu.
While both players ultimately fell to Chinese opponents in the semifinals, their hard-fought wins signal a promising resurgence in Indian women’s singles badminton.
Vennala Kalagotla: A Revelation on Court
Hailing from the same Secunderabad railway colony as PV Sindhu, 17-year-old Vennala Kalagotla proved to be a revelation. Standing tall at 5-foot-8, her game blends outrageous reflexive defense with a powerful smash.
Despite losing to China’s Liu Si Ya in a 21-15, 21-18 semifinal, Vennala showcased a surprisingly combative spirit, even saving three match points. She admitted that she needed to play faster and more aggressively against such high-caliber opponents.
Vennala, whose father was a ball badminton player, started playing at age eight and later joined the Pullela Gopichand Academy. For her, this was her first international medal, and she’s determined to improve, despite candidly admitting that academics aren’t her strong suit.
Tanvi Sharma’s Strong Run
Training at the National Centre in Guwahati, Tanvi Sharma also had an impressive run to the semifinals. She faced another Chinese shuttler, Yin Yi Qing, a former World Juniors silver medallist, ultimately losing 21-13, 21-14.
Tanvi acknowledged making too many unforced errors during her match. “It’s great to win a medal after 13 years at Asian. I played well but made quite a few unforced errors,” she stated, reflecting on her performance.
Lessons Learned from the Chinese Wall
Both players found themselves up against the formidable Chinese badminton system, renowned for its mental fortitude and physical prowess. However, they walked away with invaluable lessons.
“We just fear their name, but they are OK only,” Tanvi shared, suggesting the mental barrier is often greater than the actual skill gap. She plans to focus on her physical strength moving forward.
Vennala echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the mental aspect. “I think they are just strong by mind. They win on mental strength,” she observed. These insights are crucial for future encounters.
Sporting Roots and Mutual Support
Interestingly, both Tanvi and Vennala come from athletic backgrounds. Tanvi’s mother was a volleyball player, while Vennala’s father excelled in ball badminton. This shared experience means their parents understand the pressures of elite sport.
“It helps to have an athlete parent, because they understand the pressure and don’t scold,” Vennala noted, highlighting the supportive environment. Tanvi added that watching their parents motivates them to give their best.
The two young athletes also appreciate each other’s game. Vennala admires Tanvi’s forehand cross drops and half smashes, while Tanvi praises Vennala’s defense and aggressive smashes.
- Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla won bronze medals at the Asian Junior Championships, a first for India in women’s singles in 13 years.
- Both players lost to Chinese opponents in the semifinals, highlighting the mental and physical strength of their rivals.
- The experience taught them to overcome the ‘fear’ of Chinese players and focus on improving their own game, particularly physical conditioning and mental toughness.
- Their athletic family backgrounds provide a strong support system for their burgeoning careers.
As they look ahead, these young Indian shuttlers are already planning their next steps, celebrating their bronze with a well-deserved treat of ice cream.
