U-15 Asian Junior Championships: Bornil Changmai clinches India's first gold in 10 years

Representational Image (Pic: AFP)

Youngster Bornil Aakash Changmai on Sunday achieveda a rare distinction of becoming only the second shuttler to win a gold medal for India in the U15 boys' singles category at the U17 and U15 Asian Junior Championships in Chengdu, defeating a Chinese rival in the title showdown.

The 13-year-old Bornil displayed remarkable composure and skill, especially in a tight first game, to overcome Fan Hong Xuan 21-19, 21-13 in 34 minutes.

Bornil, who hails from Assam, became the second junior badminton player after Siril Verma in 2013 to bag the top podium finish in the prestigious tournament.

The Indian shuttler gave consistent performances all through the tournament and had beaten compatriot Jagsher Singh Khangurra in the semifinal on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tanvi Sharma will compete against Yataweemin Ketklieng of Thailand in the U17 girls' singles final later today.

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Bornil's performance has added another feather to the remarkable success story of Indian shuttlers on the junior circuit after Ayush Shetty secured the bronze medal in the BWF World Junior Championships at Spokane, USA, earlier this month.

Top Indian shuttlers recently returned from the Asian Games in Hangzhou with several firsts, with the men's doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy clinching a historic gold and becoming the world No. 1 pair.

Badminton stalwart HS Prannoy too came up with a standout performance, clinching bronze in the continental showpiece.

Indian badminton has been scaling new heights in recent years marked by a string of remarkable victories in various high-profile competitions. Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy now hold the distinction of being the world's number-one men's doubles pair in the BWF rankings.

Their stellar 2023 performance, which included a historic gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in the individual event and a silver in the team competition, contributed to their top ranking. Prannoy HS has also been a standout, earning bronze medals at both the World Championships and the Asian Games individual event in China.

The remarkable success story extends to the junior circuit as well, where Ayush Shetty secured a prestigious bronze in the BWF World Junior Championships and now Bornil Changmai also shone brightly by clinching a gold medal in the U15 boys' singles category at the Badminton Asia U17 and U15 Junior Championships.

(With inputs from agencies)