Indian badminton sensation Anmol Kharb has made headlines by reaching the final of the Belgian International 2024. The 17-year-old currently ranked 222nd in the world, has shown remarkable grit and determination throughout the tournament, setting her sights on her maiden international title.
Anmol Kharb’s Journey to the Final
Anmol’s journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. Starting from the qualifiers, she defeated Carla Dubois of France and Sophia Noble of Italy in straight games. In the main draw, she continued her winning streak by overcoming Emilie Drouin of France in the Round of 32. Her impressive form saw her defeat Rachel Sugden of Scotland in the Round of 16 with scores of 21-9, and 21-19. In the quarterfinals, she faced Irina Amalie Andersen and once again emerged victorious in straight games.
Semifinal Showdown
The semifinal match against Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova was a true test of Anmol’s resilience. Nalbantova, ranked 68th in the world, was the overwhelming favourite. However, Anmol started strong, taking the first game 21-13. The second game was a nail-biter, with Nalbantova edging out Anmol 26-24. Despite the fatigue from playing five matches in three days, Anmol fought back in the third game, winning 21-19 and securing her place in the final.
I missed this but Anmol Kharb defeated WR 68 Kaloyana Nalbantova 🇧🇬 21-13, 24-26, 21-19 to reach the finals of the Belgian International Challenge
This is her 6th match in 3 days pic.twitter.com/SL16uEQOdP
— 🇮🇳 Thomas Cup 22 🏆 (@Anmolkakkar27) September 13, 2024
The Final Challenge
In the final, Anmol will face Denmark’s Amalia Schulz, who is ranked 80th in the world. Schulz, six years Anmol’s senior, is expected to rely on her experience to challenge the young Indian shuttler. Schulz reached the final by defeating France’s Anna Tatranova in straight games and will be much fresher compared to Anmol.
Anmol Kharb’s rise in the badminton world has been meteoric. She first gained attention in February 2024 when she played a crucial role in helping India win the historic Badminton Asia Team Championships title. Her performance in the Belgian International has further solidified her reputation as a promising talent in the sport.
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