Meet 13-Year-Old Tanvi Patri, Who Won the Asian U15 Championship with Clean Shots and Reliable Footwork

Jayce September 4, 2024 1 0

Composed Footwork and Fluid Strokes Define Tanvi’s Play

Clean, fluid strokes. Composed footwork, a result of keen anticipation. These are the foundations upon which Tanvi Patri built her victory at the Asian U15 Championship. At just 13 years old, this girl from Balasore, Odisha, has already caught the attention of many, and her family has big plans for her future. By the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics come around, Tanvi will be 17, the same age at which Ratchanok Intanon became a world champion.

Early Victories Signal Bright Future

Despite the determination of the entire coaching team at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy to keep expectations in check, Tanvi’s 22-20, 21-11 victory over Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen in Chengdu on Sunday will likely be seen as the first step towards even greater achievements.

Inevitable Comparisons with the Best

Comparisons are inevitable. It’s worth noting that while her opponents were all relatively inexperienced and the level of competition has not matured much over the past 15 years, Tanvi’s smooth strokes, deft backhand net shots, and soaring forehand drives bear a striking resemblance to the style of recently retired Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist He Bing Jiao. Moreover, her footwork, which allows her to reach the shuttle early and with ease, showcases solid technique for an Indian U15 player.

Challenges Ahead for the Young Champion

Before stepping onto the podium to claim her gold medal, Tanvi was the shortest among the four medalists in Chengdu. This means that while she is bound to grow taller in the coming years, her current attack relies heavily on jump smashes, a tactic that has been essential against her larger, older opponents over the past three days. Still, Tanvi was the top seed in the Chinese U15 competition, and her victory over the second-seeded Vietnamese was expected.

Displaying Lakshya Sen-like Qualities

Nevertheless, for two consecutive days, Tanvi displayed qualities reminiscent of her academy mate and Paris Olympics semifinalist Lakshya Sen. On Saturday, she trailed 12-17 in the semifinals, and on Sunday, she fell behind 11-17 against the quick and adventurous Vietnamese player. But Tanvi kept her composure, executed calm reversals both times, and comfortably won the second game.

Coaches Aim to Manage Expectations

PPBA coach Sagar Chopda remains cautious, emphasizing that there is room for improvement. “She has a tendency to start slow, but she can improve on that. She doesn’t move much in the first 3-4 points, but she quickly catches up,” he said.

Keeping Calm Under Pressure

In the final, Tanvi once again remained unhurried in the early exchanges, trailing 10-11 before the mid-game interval. The taller Vietnamese player then scored six consecutive points, building a significant lead. However, Tanvi was unfazed, picked up the pace, attacked the baseline with confidence, and maintained zero errors at the net.

Smart Tactics and Natural Talent

Her net footwork was confident, her backhand flicks were pressure-free, and she made very few errors under the strain of trailing. Coach Chopda noted that her opponent crossed twice during her rallies, but Tanvi’s lift was smart. She also has an unconventional quick backhand serve, which, though lacking in visible power, highlights her natural hitting ability.

A Bright Future Awaits

Her physical defense is as smooth as He Bing Jiao’s, but she currently lacks the power to repeatedly deal with flat drives if the shuttle is continuously pushed to the backcourt. “The girl she beat in the third round is the same opponent who defeated Tanvi in the quarterfinals in Thailand on a slower court. There’s still a lot of work to be done on her game, but for now, we want her to enjoy playing,” said Chopda.

A Rising Star in Indian Badminton

At 13, Tanvi has already reached the quarterfinals in the All India senior category and the semifinals in the junior category. Last year, she was not yet old enough to be selected for India’s U19 World Junior Championship team. However, as Chopda noted, “She may not be as strong or tall as Saina or Sindhu, but there is a distinct quality in her, much like them and Lakshya.”