Sports

Young Goan Badminton Prodigy Amaira Dhumatker Shines at Younex Sunrise All India Sub Junior Under 13 Ranking Badminton Tournament 2025


Date: June 2025

Navelim, Goa: At just 8 years old, Amaira Dhumatker, a young badminton prodigy from Goa, has taken the sporting world by storm with her stunning performance at the Younex Sunrise All India Sub Junior Under 13 Ranking Badminton Tournament held in Navelim, Goa. In an exciting and thrilling match, Amaira clinched a victory over Telangana’s rising star, Sreshta Nirvana Kalva, with impressive scores of 15-7, 15-12.

A Glimpse of Excellence

In an event that brought together some of the brightest young badminton talents from across India, Amaira stood out with her calm demeanor, sharp focus, and exceptional skill on the court. Despite her young age, Amaira displayed the maturity of a seasoned player, demonstrating not only technical finesse but also the mental toughness needed to perform at a high level in competitive sports.

In her match against Sreshta Nirvana Kalva, Amaira came out strong in the first game, quickly establishing control with a 15-7 scoreline. The second game was no less intense, with Sreshta showing resilience, but Amaira’s speed and precision sealed her victory at 15-12, allowing her to storm into the next round with ease.

Amaira’s Journey in Badminton

Hailing from Goa, Amaira has been playing badminton since the age of 5. Despite being relatively young, her consistent training and dedication have already started to bear fruit. She trains under the guidance of well-established coaches in Goa and is known for her agility, technique, and sportsmanship on and off the court.

In an interview, Amaira expressed her excitement and joy after winning her match: “I am so happy to have won this match. Badminton is my favorite sport, and I enjoy playing every match, learning new things, and improving my skills. I am grateful to my coaches and family for supporting me throughout my journey.”

The Rising Badminton Talent of Goa

Amaira’s victory at the Younex Sunrise All India Tournament has caught the attention of both national and local sports enthusiasts. Her performance adds to the growing list of talented young athletes emerging from Goa, and Amaira’s success is a testament to the importance of grassroots development and support for sports in the state.

In recent years, Goa has seen a surge in young athletes excelling in various sports, and badminton has emerged as one of the leading disciplines. The state’s investment in sports infrastructure and the nurturing of young talent is paving the way for future sporting icons. Amaira’s performance, in particular, has ignited hope that Goa will continue to produce exceptional badminton players in the coming years.

Future Prospects

With such a promising start to her career, Amaira is expected to make significant strides in the badminton circuit in the years to come. Her current victory at the Younex Sunrise All India Sub Junior Tournament is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright and successful career.

As the tournament continues, Amaira’s supporters—family, friends, and fans—are eagerly watching her progress, hoping she can carry forward this momentum into the later rounds and make her mark on the national badminton stage. Given her skill set and determination, it’s safe to say that this young Goan prodigy has a long and promising road ahead of her in the world of badminton.

Acknowledging the Coaches and Supporters

Amaira’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the continuous support of her coaches, family, and training partners. Her coach praised her resilience, saying, “Amaira is a disciplined and hardworking player. She has an incredible work ethic for someone her age, and I have no doubt that she will continue to excel.”

About the Younex Sunrise All India Sub Junior Under 13 Ranking Tournament

The Younex Sunrise All India Sub Junior Under 13 Ranking Tournament 2025 is one of the most anticipated badminton events for young athletes across the country. It provides a platform for budding players to showcase their skills and gain ranking points to progress in their careers. Held annually in Navelim, Goa, this tournament draws talent from all over the country, with the top performers often going on to represent India in international competitions.

#AllycaralFeature 👒

Aarush Pawaskar Registers Nail-Biting Win in Main Draw of All India Sub Junior Badminton Tournament


Lone Goan victor lights up opening day with gutsy three-set thriller in Boys U17 singles

Mapusa, Goa | June 20, 2025 — Goa had its moment of glory on the opening day of the main draw at the Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Badminton Tournament 2025, thanks to a nerve-wracking victory by Aarush Pawaskar. In a highly competitive Boys Singles U17 Round of 64 clash at the Multipurpose Stadium, Peddem, the young Goan talent held his ground and delivered a stellar performance that had the local crowd on its feet.

Aarush outlasted Andhra Pradesh’s Manku Taku in a gripping three-set battle: 21-14, 9-21, 21-19, showcasing not just skill but remarkable composure under pressure. With this victory, he emerged as the only Goan player to progress on a day otherwise dominated by higher-seeded national contenders and visiting states.


🎯 A Lone Win Amid Spirited Battles

While Aarush’s triumph gave Goa a reason to cheer, the day proved tough for other local participants, many of whom bowed out despite brave performances.

In Boys Singles U17,

  • Advait Balakrishnan was defeated by Yash Soni (Rajasthan) 15-21, 10-21.

In Girls Singles U17,

  • Yashila Ritika Chelluri lost to Ketaki Thite (Maharashtra).
  • Shivanjali Thite was overcome by Ridhima Saini (Chhattisgarh).

In Boys Doubles U15,

  • Shaan Cherkala Kunjutty & Mohammed Umar Shaikh went down 12-21, 13-21 to Vihaan Kolhade & Hridaan Padve (Maharashtra).
  • Sparsh Kolwalkar & Arnav Saraf narrowly missed an upset, losing 18-21, 21-12, 20-22 in a thriller.

In Mixed Doubles U15,

  • Arnav Saraf & Niharika Parwar fought valiantly but lost 18-21, 21-19, 16-21 to Edward Adrien & Supreetha Deepak (Karnataka).

In Girls Doubles U15,

  • Dimple Revankar (Goa) & Tanishka Ganji (Telangana), fresh from a strong qualifying run, were ousted by Vijaya Tejashwini Dantuluri (AP) & Joel Rana (Haryana) 12-21, 17-21.

🏅 National Seeds Show Their Strength

The day also saw top seeds across age groups dominate with confident wins:

  • Pushkar Sai (Karnataka), Boys Singles U15 top seed, beat Avish Mehta (Delhi) 21-19, 21-5.
  • Wazir Singh (Punjab), third seed, overcame Yatharth Kirola (Uttarakhand) 21-19, 21-12.
  • Shaina Manimuthu, Girls Singles U15 top seed, cruised past Smriti S. 21-8, 21-13.
  • Avni Vikram Govind (Telangana), third seed, survived a scare before winning 17-21, 22-20, 21-13 over Anvi Patel (Gujarat).
  • In Boys U17, top seed Dev Ruparelia (Maharashtra) and third seed Akhil Reddy Bobba (Telangana) advanced without trouble.

🔥 All Eyes on Aarush

With the tournament heating up, Goan hopes now rest squarely on Aarush Pawaskar, who has shown he has both the game and the mindset to compete against the best in the country. His performance reflects not just personal growth, but the promise of a rising badminton culture in Goa.

“This win means a lot. I stayed focused, even when I lost the second game. I knew if I believed in my shots and didn’t panic, I could pull through,” Aarush said post-match, beaming with the calm confidence of a player far beyond his years.


📍 Tournament at a Glance:

  • 🏟️ Venue: Multipurpose Stadium, Peddem, Mapusa, Goa
  • 🏆 Event: Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Tournament 2025
  • 🗓️ Dates: June 20–25, 2025
  • 🔍 Next Up: Round of 32 matches begin tomorrow; Aarush set to face a seeded player in a high-stakes encounter