India's rising badminton star Tanvi Sharma delivered the biggest performance of her young career on Sunday, defeating Vietnam's sixth seed Nguyen Thuy Linh in straight games to capture her maiden BWF World Tour title at the Taipei Open Super 300. The 17-year-old from Punjab produced a composed and dominant display to register a 21-16, 21-16 victory in the women's singles final, completing a dream week in just 36 minutes.
With the triumph, Tanvi became the youngest champion in the history of the Taipei Open, winning the title at the age of 17 years and 222 days. She surpassed the previous record held by Taiwan's legendary shuttler Tai Tzu Ying and also became the first Indian woman since Saina Nehwal in 2008 to lift the women's singles trophy at the prestigious tournament.
Speaking after her memorable victory, an elated Tanvi admitted that she had arrived in Taipei without expecting to win the title. "I'm really very happy to win this title here. I didn't expect to win a title, but I just thought I would give my best. I was taking it one match at a time, and I'm happy that I played really well throughout the tournament," she said.
The teenager, who finished runner-up at the 2025 US Open Super 300, displayed remarkable maturity throughout the week. She dropped only one game in the entire tournament and consistently outplayed higher-ranked opponents with her speed, deception, and attacking game.
Coached by renowned South Korean trainer Park Tae-sang, who previously guided Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, Tanvi once again showcased why she is regarded as one of India's brightest badminton prospects.
Facing world No. 21 Nguyen Thuy Linh in the final, Tanvi made a blistering start by using deceptive drop shots disguised as smashes to catch her opponent off guard. The strategy worked perfectly as she raced to an early 4-1 lead before extending her advantage to 10-2 with a combination of steep cross-court smashes and precise net play.
Although a series of unforced errors allowed Nguyen to reduce the deficit midway through the opening game, Tanvi quickly regained control after the interval. Backed by encouraging words from coach Park, she mixed powerful attacking shots with excellent court coverage to secure the first game 21-16.
The second game presented a tougher challenge as Nguyen took an early 3-0 lead by forcing Tanvi to cover the entire court. However, the Indian teenager responded calmly, drawing level at 3-3 with a delicate net shot before steadily taking charge of the rallies.
Her trademark deception once again proved decisive as she repeatedly wrong-footed the Vietnamese player, building an 11-8 advantage at the mid-game break. Maintaining her composure, Tanvi continued to dictate the pace, stretching the lead to 18-12 before earning seven championship points. Despite a brief spell of nerves that saw her squander three match points, she sealed the victory with a confident finish to claim her maiden BWF World Tour crown.
Also read: Asmita, Harsh headline India’s best ever judo campaign at CWG
Reflecting on the final, Tanvi admitted she was nervous but remained determined to play her natural game. "I was quite nervous, but I just thought I would give my 100 percent. Playing five matches was physically demanding, but I knew I had to stay consistent. I still need to work much harder if I want to compete regularly in Super 500 and Super 750 tournaments," she said.
One of the most touching moments of the ceremony came after the victory when Tanvi removed her gold medal and placed it around coach Park Tae-sang's neck in recognition of his guidance and support. The two then celebrated the historic achievement together, posing for photographs amid loud applause from the crowd.
Tanvi's triumph is the latest milestone in an impressive rise that has established her as one of India's most exciting young sporting talents. A former world junior No. 1, she became the first Indian to win two medals at a single edition of the BWF World Junior Championships, claiming silver in girls' singles and bronze in the mixed team event. She was also part of the Indian squad that secured the country's maiden gold medal at the Asian Team Championships.
Her rapid ascent has been shaped by years of dedication and sacrifice. Tanvi's mother, Meena Sharma, a physical education teacher and former national-level volleyball player, learned badminton herself to coach her daughter during her early years in Hoshiarpur. She famously put Tanvi through demanding early morning training sessions before the youngster moved to the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati to train under Park Tae-sang.
After finishing runner-up at the US Open Super 300, Odisha Masters Super 100, and Guwahati Masters Super 100, Tanvi has now taken the next major step in her career by winning her first BWF World Tour title. The Taipei Open triumph is expected to significantly boost her world ranking and further strengthen India's growing reputation as a powerhouse in international badminton.
Follow us
