Tanvi Patri wins Youth Olympics badminton silver medal

Fifteen-year-old Tanvi Patri secured a historic silver medal in women's singles badminton at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. Representing India, the Odia shuttler became the first Indian woman to claim a singles podium finish at this global tournament. Her gold medal match against Chinese junior world champion Zhang Yi Xin lasted 82 gruelling minutes, ending with a hard-fought final score of 21-15, 13-21, 24-26.

Epic fightback in deciding set

Patri dominated the opening game using sharp net play and cross-court returns, before her 17-year-old opponent adapted her strategy to level the match. During the final set, Patri found herself trailing 10-19 and facing a significant deficit. Showing remarkable composure, she saved six match points and mounted an incredible comeback to equalise the score at 20-20. Both players fought relentlessly until the scoreboard read 24-24, at which point Zhang managed to clinch the final two points to take gold.

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Reflections on Dakar

Speaking about her performance, Patri expressed immense pride in her podium finish. “This achievement means a lot to me and the medal will encourage me to play well in the future,” she stated. She acknowledged the difficult court conditions, noting that drift and unforced errors affected her momentum during the decider. Despite these hurdles, Patri maintained her focus and pushed the Chinese champion to the absolute limit. Beyond her on-court achievements, Patri cherished the cultural experiences in Senegal. She fondly recalled trading pins, making friends, and relaxing in the athlete house. This silver medal follows her recent Asian U17 gold, cementing her status as a top sporting prospect. Patri plans to celebrate her milestone at home, where she looks forward to enjoying a special family meal.

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Photo Credit: ANI/BAI