17 year old Indian badminton star Anmol Kharb, who recently helped the Indian Women’s Team win the Badminton Asia Team Championships, has vaulted a whooping 136 steps up the ranking ladder – going from 472 to 336 in the process.
KHARB MARKED HER ARRIVAL IN 2023, WINNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AS A 16 YEAR OLD
Emerging as a talent at 12, Kharb secured a national title in 2019, impressing further with a Senior All India Ranking tournament semi-final finish. This earned her selection for the government’s talent nurturing Khelo India scheme. 2020 saw her dominate the U-17 Nationals, winning both singles and doubles titles.
However, 2023 truly marked her arrival. Crowned the Indian National Champion at 16, she cemented her dominance by playing a pivotal role in India’s historic Badminton Asia Team Championships gold medal victory. Winning three crucial matches under pressure, Kharb showcased her mental fortitude and tactical brilliance.
Kharb trains under coach Kusum Singh, a former badminton star contemporary to the likes of Saina Nehwal, and her dedication is evident. She balances badminton with studies, choosing a non-science stream to accommodate her training. She spends six hours daily to hone her skills and better her fitness.
This is how Anmol Kharb was welcomed at the Sunrise Shuttlers Academy 🫶❤️
📸 sunriseshuttlersacademy ig pic.twitter.com/KsQNpykKSx
— Just Badminton (@BadmintonJust) February 21, 2024
HER WINS AT THE BADMINTON ASIA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS CAME AGAINST HIGHER-RANKED OPPONENTS
Kharb scored three all-important wins in the three final manages of the Indian campaign in Badminton Asia Team Championships. Against the last group-phase match against China, the semi-finals against Japan, and the finals against Thailand, she proved to be the x-factor in India’s victories, with her wins over opposing shuttlers far exceeding her in experience and ranking.
This is why the victory of the women in Badminton Asian Team Championship is unbelievable. Look at the difference in ranking of the opponents with them in KO rounds. With Anmol Kharb defeating opp ranked 400+ positions above her in tie-breaks twice. Incredible!🥇👑 pic.twitter.com/5bUoXg5Vgz
— H G Tannhaus (@tannhaushg) February 20, 2024
“I am glad I could deliver when it mattered the most. The entire team, including the coaches, were supporting me vociferously. Thanks to that cheering from the sidelines, I felt absolutely no pressure. Once I claimed the opening game quite easily, I dominated her to finish it off quickly. It was a dream moment for all of us,” Kharb said to the Times of India about her performance in the final against Thailand.
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