Junior World No.1 at 16, Tanvi working her way for an Olympic medal

At just 16, Tanvi Sharma from Hoshiarpur has already carved a name for herself by becoming the youngest Indian to reach the finals of the US Open 2025. But for Tanvi, these milestones are just stepping stones toward a much larger goal of winning an Olympic medal for India.

Ranked the world’s No. 1 junior shuttler, Tanvi’s eyes are firmly set on the biggest stage of all — the Olympic Games. Her journey hasn’t been a bed of roses, but one that is defined by grit, sacrifice, and unshakable resolve.

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Born into a middle-class family in the northeastern city of Punjab, Tanvi experienced the harsh realities of financial hardship early on. And when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it forced her and her sister to return home from Hyderabad, where they had been training to pursue their sporting dreams.

“Those days were incredibly challenging,” Tanvi recalls in an interview with The Statesman. “It wasn’t easy for a middle-class family to send both of us from Hoshiarpur to Hyderabad. Living in a big city comes with its own difficulties. We were mentally strong, but financial strength is just as important.”

She was only 11 when the pandemic forced her to return to Punjab, but instead of retreating, Tanvi and her sister doubled down on fitness and discipline at home. Despite the hardships, she remained firm on her dreams: “Whatever happens, just do it.” It became a motto that anchored her through the storm, powered by the unwavering support of her parents.

Her resilience bore fruit. Under the guidance of esteemed Korean coach Park Tae Sang, Tanvi’s game evolved rapidly. The goal now is clear — an Olympic gold medal for India.

Tanvi’s idols are champions in their own right. She speaks of drawing inspiration from the best,

“From Sindhu didi, I learned aggression. From Saina didi, I learned to play with calm and control. And my mother? She is my biggest role model—she gave up everything for us.”

Some of Tanvi’s dreams have already taken flight. She cherishes the moments she shared the court with her heroes. “Playing with Saina didi at the age of 8 and winning gold with Sindhu in the Asian Badminton Championship are memories I will always carry,” she says.

Currently training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Guwahati, Tanvi is preparing for the Junior Asian Championship in Solo, Indonesia, starting July 18, followed by the Junior World Championship in October.

“It feels good to inspire others, but there’s still a lot more I want to do for India,” she says.

To the young dreamers looking up to her, Tanvi has a simple message that encapsulates her journey, “Never give up on hard work. Every dream can come true with discipline and determination.”