With Eyes On LA 2028, Rising Star Tanvi Sharma Hopes To Emulate PV Sindhu And Saina Nehwal

Last Updated:July 05, 2025, 15:13 IST

Tanvi Sharma might be a teenager but has a clear vision of representing India at the next Summer Games.

Tanvi Sharma (PTI Photo)

A 16-year-old, Tanvi Sharma, went into the US Open in Iowa as one of the underdogs. An upcoming star in the Indian badminton circuit, the teenager beat second seed and World No. 22 Thuy Linh Nguyen in her opening round to start on a high.

After sailing through the next two rounds, Tanvi faced seventh seed Polina Buhrova in the semis and beat her too, again in straight games. Her dream run in Iowa only came to an end when she lost to top seed Beiwen Zhang in the final, but not before winning one game against her and pushing the match into the decider.

Still finding her way in the senior circuit, the US Open was her first tournament on the BWF Tour this year, Tanvi has made managed to leave a mark.

“There was no special preparation as such. My first round was a little tough, too. I was just focused on giving my best. I went with the thought that I would just go with the flow and see how everything pans out, but keep giving my best," Tanvi told News18 Sports.

Tanvi admitted that she was a tad nervous while playing Zhang in the final. “I learnt a lot by playing against such a big shuttler. Honestly, I was a bit nervous to play in such a big stadium for the first time, and that is what I want to improve in future," she says.

Having played three seeded players in her time at Iowa, Tanvi said that she doesn’t get bogged down by the pressure of playing higher-ranked shuttlers.

“I don’t think a lot about the rank of my opponents or if it will be tough while facing them. Maybe I play a bit more enthusiastically, and I just give my best. I think that whatever happens, we can discuss it later. I am getting great opportunities to play at this level, and I just need to enjoy those," Tanvi says.

Training under Park Tae Sang at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati, the youngster recently received a big compliment from the former, who said he could see glimpses of double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu in Tanvi.

“I liked it. He said that I have an attacking style which is very similar to Sindhu Didi, and yes, I want to be like her too. I follow Sindhu and Saina Didi. I also follow Tai Tzu Ying. I like her deceptive strokes," Tanvi gushes.

“This place has really good facilities. The coaches are great, and there are a lot of upcoming players as well. I think we just need a bit more time to push out quite a few good shuttlers," Tanvi adds about the NCE, which is all set to host the BWF World Junior Championships in October.

Asked where she wants to see herself in the next three to four years, Tanvi had a clear answer. “At the 2028 Olympics", she says.

For a country which keeps wondering ‘Who after Sindhu?’, Tanvi has surely shown promise.

All set to lead the Indian contingent at the Asian Junior Championships later this month, the youngster will have to prove herself to ensure that she can follow in the footsteps of Sindhu didi.

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News sports With Eyes On LA 2028, Rising Star Tanvi Sharma Hopes To Emulate PV Sindhu And Saina Nehwal