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India scripted history at the Badminton Asia U17 & U15 Championships as Shaina Manimuthu and Diksha Sudhakar clinched gold on Sunday, delivering the nation its best-ever performance at the continental event. The triumph capped a remarkable campaign, with India ending with two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.

 

The tournament, featuring Asia’s top junior talent, witnessed intense competition across categories, providing a crucial platform for young shuttlers to showcase their potential ahead of global events. India’s performance marked a significant improvement from previous editions, underlining the country’s rising dominance in junior badminton.

 

In the U15 girls’ singles final, Shaina overpowered Japan’s Chiharu Tomita 21-14, 22-20. The opening game saw Shaina dominate with aggressive net play and precise smashes, while in the second game she resisted a late comeback, sealing victory in 44 minutes. “It feels amazing to win here. The competition was tough, but I stayed focused on my game,” Shaina said after the win.

Also read: Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15: Lakshya, Diksha, Shaina in quarters

 

Later, Diksha outclassed compatriot Lakshya Rajesh 21-16, 21-9 to become the first Indian girls’ singles player to win the U17 title. The 27-minute all-Indian final was marked by consistent rallies and tactical precision. “Winning the U17 crown is a dream come true. It’s a proud moment for India and for me personally,” Diksha noted.

 

India’s previous best performance with two gold medals came in 2013 when Siril Verma clinched the U15 boys’ singles title, alongside Chirag Shetty and MR Arjun, who won the U17 boys’ doubles crown. Bronze medals this year were secured by Jagsher Singh Khanggura in boys’ singles and the mixed doubles pair of Jangjeet Singh Kajla and Jananika Ramesh.

 

The championships not only highlighted India’s growing prowess in junior badminton but also reflected the investment in grassroots development and coaching across the country, promising a bright future for the sport on the international stage.