In the afternoon of February 18, India embraced a new badminton prodigy as teenage sensation Anmol Kharb secured the nation's first Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) title by defeating World Number 45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21–14, 21-9. The final match, being played against Thailand in Malaysia, was evenly poised at 2-2 before Kharb took to the court for the decisive tie against Choeikeewong.
Though this was the first-ever major tournament for the world number 472, the 17-year-old never showed any nerves as she breezed past her significantly higher-ranked opponent.
Who is Anmol Kharb?
Born in January 2007 in Faridabad, India's latest prodigy took up badminton at the age of six after being inspired by her elder brother Hardik. Her role model Saina Nehwal was already a U-19 champion by the time Kharb was born. To support her growth in badminton, Kharb’s mother, Rajbala, moved to Noida, where she trained at the Sunrise Shuttlers Academy.
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Her talent was undeniable as at the tender age of 12, Kharb bagged her first badminton national title in 2019. It was a breakthrough year for Kharb as she also won the U-17 All India Ranking title in Hyderabad and reached the semifinals of the Senior All India Ranking tournament in Visakhapatnam. She also got selected for the Khelo India scheme, which provided her with financial support and training.
Anmol Kharb: Master of both trades
Kharb has showcased her potential in both singles and doubles categories. She won in both categories in the U-17 Sub-Junior National championships in 2020, winning the singles and doubles titles with Telangana’s Vennala K.
She has also done well internationally, after reaching the pre-quarterfinals of the Asian Junior Championships and quarterfinals of the Junior World Championships. Chief among her strengths is a powerful smash and a deft drop that bamboozles opponents. She is also very rapid across the court, covering the playing surface with a lot of ease.
Despite being the lowest-ranked member in the team at 472, she would be decisive in India's maiden title in the Asian team championships. Prior to her win in Sunday's final, Kharb consistently beat higher-ranked opponents on her way to the title match. Her scalps in this tournament include higher-ranked opponents from China and Japan, including a 22-20, 14-21, 21-18 win over world no 149 Wu Luo Yu. She even played her part in the 3-2 win against Japan in the semifinals after she secured a 21-14, 21-18 win over Natsuki Nidaira.
High praise for Anmol Kharb
As Kharb won the winning point in the BATC final, India coach Pullela GopiChand ran and wrapped her in a bear hug as her teammates cheered and lifted her above their shoulders.
"I am very happy about this performance and I am hopeful about the future," the legendary Gopichand had said after the final. Praising the 17-year-old's bravery in winning the deciding fifth match, Gopichand is quoted as saying: "To actually play the deciding tie in a big match... the final of a team event, it needs guts and an amount of confidence and it shows what you are made of. I think she has done remarkably well on that front.
"She has been phenomenal, she played the right strokes and she had the greatest of attitude and it is wonderful to see," he signed off.
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