Tanvi Sharma becomes first Indian girl since Saina Nehwal to medal at BWF World Junior C’ships

Sixteen-year-old Tanvi Sharma became the first Indian girl to win a singles medal at the BWF World Junior Championships since 2008 after beating Japan’s Saki Matsumoto in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Tanvi, now assured of a bronze, also confirmed India’s first medal of the ongoing 2025 edition being held in Guwahati.

The Indian, seeded first, beat the Japanese 13-15, 15-9, 15-10 in a three-game thriller which lasted 46 minutes.

This is India’s first singles medal since Saina Nehwal clinched gold in the 2008 edition which was held in Pune.

List of Indian girls to win singles medal at BWF World Junior Championships

Aparna Popat – Silver (1996, Silkeborg)

Saina Nehwal – Silver (2006, Incheon)

Saina Nehwal – Gold (2008, Pune)

Tanvi Sharma – Bronze* (2025, Guwahati)

Published on Oct 17, 2025