Unnati Hooda, an Indian shuttler, made history at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2022 by becoming the first Indian to reach the Under-17 singles final.
She defeated Japan’s Mion Yokouchi 21-8, 21-17 yesterday in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Unnati will now compete for the gold medal against Thailand’s Sarunrak Vitidsarn.
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Under-15 singles player Anish Thoppani and Under-17 men’s doubles pair Arsh Mohammad and Sanskar Saraswat also won convincingly to advance to the finals.
Indian shuttler Unnati Hooda creates history, Hooda becomes 1st Indian to enter under 17 singles finals in Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2022. Defeats Japan’s Mion Yokouchi at Nonthaburi, Thailand@Media_SAI@BAI_Media #AsianJuniorChampionships pic.twitter.com/ROyDnLQGcM
— DD News (@DDNewslive) December 4, 2022
Arsh and Sanskar dominated Chinese Taipei’s Chi-Ruei Chiu and Shao Hua Chiu to advance to the final with a commanding 21-15, 21-19 victory.
Top-seed Unnati once again lived up to expectations and stamped her authority in the U-17 women’s singles semifinal, winning in straight sets. In her campaign at the prestigious event, the Odisha Open champion has yet to drop a set.
In the gold medal match, Unnati will face Sarunrak Vitidsarn of Thailand.
Arsh and Sanskar also displayed a similarly dominating performance against Chinese Taipei’s Chi-Ruei Chiu and Shao Hua Chiu in the lopsided Last-4 contest, advancing to the U-17 men’s doubles final with a commanding 21-15, 21-19 win.
They will now compete in the final against Lai Po Yu and Yi-Hao Lin from Chinese Taipei.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for a child.” Unnati has lived up to her top seeding with dominating performances throughout the tournament. I congratulate her on becoming the first Indian to compete in this prestigious tournament’s U-17 singles final. I also congratulate Anish, Arsh, and Sanskar on reaching the finals, as well as the other Indians who won bronze medals. “This tournament is an excellent platform for young shuttlers, and Unnati and our other shuttlers have demonstrated their talent with outstanding performances,” said Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India.
