Rising badminton star Tanvi Patri created history by becoming the first ever Sub-junior National singles champion of Odisha. She achieved the glory by winning the girls singles crown at the 34th Sub-junior (U-13) National Badminton Championships in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh today.

In the final, 8th seed Tanvi defeated 15th seed Divyanshi Gautam of Uttar Pradesh 21-7, 21-10 in 22 minutes to pocket a cheque of Rs 60,000. Earlier in the semifinals, 11-year-old Tanvi, who had won her maiden National U-13 Ranking Tournament in Mumbai earlier this month, got the better of fifth seed Thanmai Damam (AP) 21-10, 21-12.

Tanvi, who started playing badminton in China, now trains at Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) in Bengaluru. She joined PPBA earlier this year after having caught the attention of the academy in a camp organised to spot talent.

According to PPBA Director and Chief Coach U Vimal Kumar, Tanvi is fearless, promising and a quick learner. Her technique and skills are good.

Tanvi, who hails from Markona in Balasore district, spent a few years in China, where her father Rabinarayan was employed as a software professional. Initially she trained under top Chinese coach Jiang Yong Yi.

Tanvi won nine titles in China between 2017 and 2020 before her family returned to India due to Covid-19 pandemic.
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PHOTO: Odisha prodigy Tanvi Patri poses with her maiden National U-13 girls singles trophy in Lucknow on 23 November 2022.