Parul Choudhary Makes History with First All India Ranking U-17 Girls Singles Badminton Title
Parul Choudhary, a rising star from Rajasthan, made history on Friday by becoming the first girl from her state to win a national-level badminton title. The talented left-hander secured the prestigious All India Ranking U-17 girls singles title at the Yonex-Sunrise Sub Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Badminton Tournament, held at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Municipal Indoor Stadium in Vijayawada.
Parul, only 16 years old, showcased incredible skill and determination to triumph over top seed Rishika Nandi in a thrilling final. The match, which lasted 39 minutes, saw Parul defeat Rishika in straight games, 21-10, 21-19, marking her second consecutive victory over her highly ranked opponent. She had previously beaten Rishika in the U-19 girls singles final during the North Zone Inter-State Championship in Chandigarh just a month earlier.
Despite being the underdog, Parul’s powerful smashes and precise shots helped her dominate the first game. Though Rishika fought back in the second game to level the scores, Parul held her nerve to clinch the match and the championship.
This victory marks Parul’s maiden national-level title and caps a remarkable journey. Earlier in the season, she had reached the finals of the All India Ranking tournament in Hyderabad, where she narrowly lost to Indian badminton sensation Tanvi Patri.
Training under coach Manish Sharma in Gurgaon, Parul has consistently impressed on the court, losing only two games throughout the Vijayawada tournament. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed, as she was recently selected to represent India at the Asian Sub-Junior Championship in Chengdu, China.
Reflecting on her win, Parul said, “I’m thrilled to finally win my first title after coming so close in Hyderabad. This victory has given me a lot of confidence, and I’m determined to perform well in the upcoming tournaments. I’m grateful to my coach Manish Sir and my parents for their unwavering support.”
Manish Sharma was equally proud of his student’s performance, noting that Parul will now set her sights on improving her rankings in both the U-19 and senior categories.
With her strong performances and dedication, Parul Choudhary is undoubtedly a rising star to watch in Indian badminton.