Tanvi Sharma Shines as Youngest Indian Finalist at US Open Badminton 2025

Indian badminton sensation Tanvi Sharma, only 16 years old, made headlines by reaching the finals of the US Open 2025 in Iowa. Despite her loss to top seed Beiwen Zhang, she became the youngest Indian to reach a BWF World Tour final. Tanvi's journey included impressive victories over several ranked players, showcasing her potential. As she prepares for upcoming championships in India, her determination to excel in higher-level tournaments shines through. Discover more about her inspiring journey and future aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 1, 2025, 04:21 IST

Impressive Journey to the Finals

In a remarkable display of talent, Indian badminton player Tanvi Sharma, just 16 years old, reached the finals of the US Open 2025 tournament held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Surprising many, she expressed that she did not anticipate making it to the final match.

Competing in the women's singles category, Tanvi showcased her skills by defeating several higher-ranked opponents, including players ranked World No. 23, 40, 50, and 58, as reported by the Badminton Association of India (BAI).

Despite her valiant effort, she fell short against the top seed, Beiwen Zhang from the USA, in a closely contested match that ended with scores of 21-11, 16-21, 21-10. Nevertheless, Tanvi made history as the youngest Indian to reach a BWF World Tour final.

Reflections on Her Performance

In an interview, Tanvi reflected on her tournament experience, stating, "It was a good tournament for me. I didn’t expect to play in the finals. The first round was particularly challenging, and I aimed to give my best throughout the competition."

She recounted her earlier matches, highlighting victories over Vietnam's T.L. Nguyen (21-19, 21-9) in the Round of 32, Thailand's Opatniputh Pitchamon (21-18, 21-16) in the Round of 16, and Malaysia's L. Karupathevan (21-13, 21-16) in the quarterfinals.

Tanvi noted, "The first two rounds were the toughest. Both opponents were top-class players, and I gained valuable experience from these matches. I aim to carry this experience into my future tournaments."

Looking Ahead

As she looks to the future, Tanvi is gearing up for the Asian Junior Championships and the World Junior Championships, both set to take place in India. She expressed her determination to excel in these upcoming events.

"I will be competing in the Asian Junior Championships next month, followed by the World Junior Championships. I hope to perform well in these tournaments and aim for success in higher-level competitions like the Super 300 and 500," she concluded.