By Tanvi Patri, now 13, trained at one of China’s premier badminton facilities and recently secured her first international title, the Asian Under-15 championship in Chengdu. Her journey began when she won a local tournament in Kunshan, China, at just six years old.
Tanvi’s father, Rabinarayan Patri, a dedicated badminton enthusiast, moved to Jiangsu province, China, in 2015, despite having options to relocate to the US. He chose China’s renowned sports hub due to its strong emphasis on badminton. Working with Nike’s sports division, Patri used his free time to play badminton and brought his daughter Tanvi to the courts. A local coach quickly recognized her potential and began training her.
In China, Tanvi’s fundamentals were honed under top-notch coaching. The rigorous training involved precise footwork, extensive service practice, and intense defensive drills. Unlike in India, where young players don’t typically focus on smashing, Tanvi faced smashes from her coaches, significantly boosting her defense and inspiring her to develop her own smashing skills.
India’s U-15 champ training
The training was demanding, requiring Tanvi to practice with 200-300 shuttles daily. Patri supported her by setting up a net in their apartment and practicing with her. When the Patris returned to India in 2020, they sent videos of Tanvi’s drills to the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA) in Bengaluru. Impressed by her strong technical base, PPBA invited her to train there, with additional support from the NGO Olympic Gold Quest.
Sagar Chopda, a PPBA coach, praised Tanvi’s technical prowess, which he attributes to her training in China. Her movement, court coverage, and ability to reach difficult shots are exceptional for her age.
Tanvi’s mother, Sailabala, now with Infosys in Bengaluru, played a key role in Tanvi’s fitness regime during their time in China. The nearby Olympic-standard stadium encouraged Tanvi to run five kilometers daily from a young age.
While Tanvi’s father admired Lin Dan and Michael Phelps, Tanvi has become a devoted fan of Viktor Axelsen, decorating her space with his posters and stickers.
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