Dakar, November 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Tanvi Patri has created history by becoming the first Indian woman badminton player to reach the semifinals of the Youth Olympic Games, defeating Thailand’s Kakanik Kungkaew in the women’s singles quarterfinals in Dakar on Wednesday.
The third-seeded Indian overcame the seventh-seeded Thai player 21-17, 21-13 in 39 minutes to secure her place in the last four. The victory puts Tanvi one win away from assuring herself a medal at the Games.
Only two Indian shuttlers had previously reached the Youth Olympics badminton final: H.S. Prannoy won silver at the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010, while Lakshya Sen finished runner-up in Buenos Aires in 2018. Aditya Joshi had reached the boys’ singles semifinals in 2014 but did not win a medal.
Tanvi will next face Japan’s Yuzuno Watanabe for a place in the final. The Indian had previously met Watanabe at the 2024 Pathum Thani Junior International Series in Thailand, losing 14-21, 10-21.
A semifinal victory would make Tanvi the first Indian woman to win a badminton medal at the Youth Olympics. Even if she loses, she will have another opportunity to compete for bronze.
Tanvi entered the knockout stage after topping Group F with three consecutive victories. In her final group match, she defeated Australia’s Smrithi Adepu 21-4, 21-12 to secure qualification for the quarterfinals.
The badminton competition at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games features 32 players each in the men’s and women’s singles events. The group stage was followed by knockout rounds, with the gold and bronze medal matches scheduled for November 5.
FOLLOW NOW
