Gujarat shuttler Tasnim Mir, trained in Hyderabad, now under-19 world No. 1

HYDERABAD: Indian badminton has never had it so good. Close on the heels of Srikanth Kidambi and Lakshya Sen capping last year with their podium finishes in World championships, Gujarat girl Tasnim Mir crowned herself with glory by becoming the world No. 1 in the girls singles category.
As per the Badminton World Federation (BWF) U-19 rankings released on Wednesday, Tasnim has 10,810 points.But the ranking came as a pleasant surprise for the 16-yearold wanting to make the grade in senior category.

Tasnim, who started training at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in 2017, shifted base to the Assam Badminton Academy in Guwahati in 2020 as her mixed doubles partner Ayan Rashid trains there. “I moved there to train with my partner. But now I want to continue here,” she said.
Tasnim was world No. 1 in the junior category too.
‘Never thought I will become No.1’
“I am really thrilled by this feat,” Tasnim told TOI from Guwahati. “It’s a great honour. I was not expecting this at all as I stopped playing in this age group. I was world No.2 last year and never thought I will become No.1,” she added.
It’s a creditable feat which eluded even the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. While Saina did not make the cut as BWF introduced the junior rankings in 2011, Sindhu’s highest ranking in the junior category was world No. 2.
The new rank will bolster her confidence, she said and credited her good show in the junior international events for her achievement. Of her four junior international titles, three came last year. “I think winning titles in Dubai, Bulgaria and Nepal International helped me secure the ranking points. This will surely bolster my confidence,” Tasnim said.
Tasnim has now trained her sights on the senior category. “Last year I started playing the senior category with the Bangladesh International. I want to do well in this section,” said Tasnim, who is being coached by Edwin Iriawan of Indonesia.