Malvika Bansod Shocks Paris Olympics Bronze Medallist Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in China Open
In a stunning upset at the China Open Super 100 badminton tournament, India’s rising star Malvika Bansod defeated Paris Olympics bronze medallist Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia in straight games. The 22-year-old Indian, ranked 43rd globally, showcased exceptional grit to outplay the world No. 7 and fifth seed in a hard-fought 46-minute match.
Saving three game points in the opening set, Malvika triumphed 26-24, 21-19, delivering the biggest victory of her career. This win also made her the sole Indian survivor in the women’s singles event. Her next challenge will be Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour, a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist.
Despite Malvika’s success, other Indian players struggled. Aakarshi Kashyap and Samiya Imad Farooqui exited the tournament after first-round defeats. In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand were eliminated, while mixed doubles and men’s singles also saw early exits for Indian players, with Kiran George narrowly losing a tense battle against Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto.
Malvika’s rise in international badminton has been marked by perseverance. A B. Tech graduate from SRM University, she entered the senior circuit in 2019, winning the Maldives International title and finishing runner-up at the 2022 Syed Modi International. She gained further recognition after defeating Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal at the 2022 India Open.
However, health setbacks, including dengue and typhoid after the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, briefly halted her momentum. Now, under the guidance of coach Shrikant Vad at the Thane Badminton Academy, Malvika is back to form, consistently facing top-ranked opponents and aiming for greater heights.
Her mother, Trupti, expressed her joy: “This is her biggest win, and she’s thrilled. Malvika has always shown potential but lacked experience and sometimes luck. We are incredibly proud of her.”
As Malvika gears up for her next match, this victory signals her growing presence in the world of badminton and marks a major milestone in her career.