Badminton Roundup: High Flying Indian Juniors

Organized youth sports are highly important for any country that is aiming to build a formidable sporting structure. To be successful on the world stage, being successful at a World Junior Championships is a prerequisite.

The real-world experiences for young athletes will allow them to grow, recognize and overcome the degree of challenges that are desirable for aspiring elites.

All the current champions have at one point in time been featured in these junior championships. Winning a junior tournament is a meaningful triumph and in some sort a barometer for future success.

In the recent past Level Up Badminton Academy, Bangalore pioneered by former world no.20, German Open winner and national champion Arvind Bhat has produced many talented young individuals.

17-year-old Saneeth Dayanand and Naren Shankar Iyer from Karnataka, who have been U13 & U15 state champions, previously bagged their maid junior international titles.

Saneeth winner at the FZ Forza Alpes Junior International Series badminton tournament in France. Naren winner at the Belgian Junior International Series badminton tournament in Belgium.

Saneeth overcame a spirited challenge from Paul Tournefeir of France, 21-15, 21-9, and Naren outwitted fifth seed Yaro Van Delsen of Belgium, 20-22, 21-15, & 21-12.

On the way to the finals, Naren defeated Noah Haase of Netherlands 21-19, 21-15 in the semi-finals and sixth seed Iljo Van Delsen of Belgium 21-5, 21-11 in the third round.

Saneeth, on the other hand, had a tougher task as he was up against third seed Simon Baron-Vezilier of France 21-9, 21-15 in semi-finals and fifth seed Yohan Barbieri 21-15, 21-9 in the second round.

Saneeth was also runner-up in the White Nights Junior Open in Russia.

For any young individual, the career trajectory depends on how smart they work on keeping their dreams high and modest behaviour.

Speaking to Mr. Arvind Bhat, who is their coach and mentor, he said “Saneeth and Naren came to our academy around 7 years ago. But the last 4 years I have been coaching them regularly under my tutelage. They both are keen learners, hardworking and sincere. I see that they have great potential and wish them the very best for their future. The pandemic did not allow tournaments to happen in the last 18 months. I am sure if there were tournaments both of them had a bright chance to represent India in more International tournaments”