Unnati Hooda: Rising Badminton Star

17-year-old Unnati Hooda is on a fast track to success in the world of badminton. Her relentless drive to excel in the sport is evident in her urgency to maximize every moment for practice and learning.

Polite but focused, Unnati’s dedication to her sport shines through. She politely requests a swift conversation as she needs to return to her training promptly. This sense of urgency may explain how she became the youngest Indian badminton player, achieving this milestone at just 14 years old when she won a Super 100 BWF World Tour title in January of the previous year.

While her early success catapulted her into the spotlight, bringing heightened expectations, Unnati swiftly adapted to the newfound attention. She acknowledges the pressure to perform but views it as a motivator that can bring out the best in her game.

At the recent Yonex-Sunrise 46th Inter-State Inter-Zonal Badminton Championships in Bengaluru, Unnati led Haryana to victory in the women’s team event, displaying her leadership qualities. Despite falling short in the individual event, she remains undeterred, focusing on the lessons learned and the future tournaments ahead.

Unnati’s immediate goal is the Junior World Championships in the USA, where she aims to secure a medal. Following that, she has a packed schedule with events in Dubai, the Odisha Open, Guwahati, and more international competitions. Her enthusiasm for these upcoming challenges is palpable.

With her sights set on senior competitions after this year, Unnati Hooda is undoubtedly a young badminton sensation to watch as she continues her rapid ascent in the sport.

Re-reported from the article originally published in Deccan Herald