Odisha’s 15-Year-Old Tanvi Patri Makes History by Reaching Women’s Singles Final at 2026 Youth Olympics

India’s badminton sensation Tanvi Patri has created history by becoming the first Indian female badminton player to reach the women’s singles final at the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.

The 15-year-old shuttler from Odisha secured her place in the gold medal match after defeating Japan’s Yuzuno Watanabe in a thrilling semi-final encounter, winning 21-14, 11-21, 21-19 in 54 minutes.

With the victory, Tanvi has guaranteed herself at least a silver medal, marking a significant achievement for Indian badminton on the international stage.

She will now face China’s Yi Xin Zhang, the reigning World Junior Champion, in the final. The two players previously met in the quarter-finals of the Asian Junior Championships earlier this year, where Tanvi suffered a defeat, losing 18-21, 16-21. The upcoming final therefore presents an opportunity for the young Indian to turn the tables and claim the gold medal.

Tanvi’s journey in badminton has also been shaped by international exposure. She developed her early badminton skills while living in China before returning to India during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she joined the prestigious Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, where she continued developing her game.

Already an Asian U-17 champion with several international achievements to her credit, Tanvi has established herself as one of India's promising young badminton talents.

Her historic run in Dakar is another proud moment for Indian sport and particularly for Odisha, which is celebrating the remarkable achievement of its young shuttler.

With one final match standing between her and the ultimate prize, all eyes will be on Tanvi as she aims to turn this historic opportunity into a golden triumph.