The 2025 Senior National Badminton Championships in Vijayawada witnessed a thrilling women's singles final that captured the nation's attention, particularly that of India's badminton superstar PV Sindhu. While the title was claimed by local favourite Surya Charishma Tamiri, the tournament will be remembered for the spectacular rise of 14-year-old prodigy Tanvi Patri, who walked away with immense praise from the two-time Olympic medallist.
A Final That Captivated a Star
The highly anticipated summit clash saw the 19-year-old Surya Charishma, cheered on by the home crowd as 'Cherry', take on the teenage sensation Tanvi Patri. The match lived up to its billing, becoming the only final of the day to go the full distance of three games. Sindhu herself took to social media platform X to express her excitement, stating her eyes were "absolutely glued to the women's final right now."
Sindhu's commentary during the match was insightful. She noted Tanvi might be carrying a minor injury, while applauding Surya's composure. "My heart is with Cherry, the girl from my state. Chances like this are rare for her and she's grabbing it with both hands. Tanvi will have many more of these moments," Sindhu wrote, highlighting the unique pressure and opportunity for both shuttlers.
Tanvi's Valiant Fight and Sindhu's Prophetic Words
On the court, Tanvi started strong, taking control midway through the opening game to win it 21-17. She seemed to have frustrated her opponent, forcing errors. The momentum, however, shifted in the second game. A crucial moment came at 6-5 when a service fault call against Tanvi gave Surya a reprieve. The local star seized the chance, winning seven points in a row to dominate the game 21-12.
In the decider, Surya's strategy of engaging in long rallies began to wear down the younger player. Despite a valiant effort, Tanvi's energy faded, and Surya closed out the match with six consecutive points from 15-14 to win 21-14 in the third game. The final scoreline read 17-21, 21-12, 21-14 in favour of Surya Charishma Tamiri.
Tanvi's performance was the culmination of a stellar run that had already caught Sindhu's eye a day earlier. After the semifinals, Sindhu had posted a glowing tribute that Tanvi will likely cherish forever. "Are we watching a future face of Indian badminton rise right in front of us?" Sindhu asked. "She trains next to me in Bangalore and I've always loved her game. Maybe because I see a little bit of myself in her. The way she plays with heart and with that smile."
Other Champions Crowned in Vijayawada
While the women's singles final stole the spotlight, other champions were also crowned at the nationals. In the men's singles, Rithvik Sanjeevi S defeated Bharat Raghav 21-16, 22-20 to claim the title. Rithvik showcased superb defence and composure, especially after saving a game point in the second set to wrap up the match in 39 minutes.
The doubles events also produced exciting results:
- Women's Doubles: Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K beat second seeds Priya Devi Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra 21-14, 21-18.
- Men's Doubles: Top seeds Hariharan Amsakarunan and R Ruban Kumar defeated Mithileish P Krishnan and Prejan 21-17, 21-12.
- Mixed Doubles: Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma upset top seeds Ashith Surya and Amrutha P in a straight-games victory of 21-9, 21-15.
The 2025 Nationals in Vijayawada not only celebrated new champions but also signalled the arrival of a remarkable new talent in Tanvi Patri. Backed by the endorsement of a legend like PV Sindhu, her journey in Indian badminton has begun with a promise of great things to come.
