Top five young performers at Thomas and Uber Cup 2024

Published at :May 6, 2024 at 4:59 PM

Modified at :May 15, 2024 at 11:49 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

Two Indonesians and two Indians make it to the list.

The Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 in Chengdu saw China claim both the men’s and women’s team badminton crowns. In the Thomas Cup final, the host nation defeated 14-time champions Indonesia 3-1 to secure their 11th title.

China were equally dominant in the Uber Cup, whitewashing Indonesia 3-0 to lift their 16th women’s team title. While the powerhouse nations reigned supreme, several up-and-coming players made their mark during the prestigious biennial event. The performances of the young talents provided a glimpse into the future stars of badminton on the international stage.

Here is a list of young players who left their mark at the Thomas and Uber Cup 2024:

Young shuttlers who impressed at Thomas and Uber Cup 2024

Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo

In Round 1, when Indonesia faced Hong Kong, China, the 19-year-old Indonesian defeated Saloni Mehta with an impressive score of 21-14, 21-12. In the second round against Uganda, the player currently ranked 38th defeated Husina Kobugabe, 21-5, 21-6. In the third round against Japan, Ester lost to World No. #11, Aya Ohori, with scores of 21-14, 20-22, 18-21.

However, this loss did not deter her from winning the match against the World No. #16, Supanida Katethong, with scores of 19-21, 21-19, 21-19 in the quarterfinals. This can be viewed as a significant achievement for Ester on the grand stage in Chengdu.

She also registered a win in the semifinals against Korea by defeating Kim Ga-ram, 20-22, 21-16, 21-12. Ester lost to World No. #6, He Bing Jiao, with scores of 21-10, 15-21, and 17-21 in the Uber Cup finals with the Indonesian team losing out against China, to finish as the runners-up in Thomas and Uber Cup 2024.

There is no doubt that Ester’s performance in Chengdu helped the team reach the finals as she managed to win three out of four matches she played. She is the younger sibling of the Indonesian athlete Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo.

Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi

In the first round, when the Indonesian women’s team faced Hong Kong, China, the 21-year-old Indonesian defeated Liang Ka Wing with scores of 21-16, 21-17. In the second round against Uganda, she managed to win against Gladys Mbabazi, 21-6, 21-13.

In the third round against Japan, Komang won against Tomoka Miyazaki, 21-12, 14-21, 21-13, but Indonesia lost the tie 3-2. This loss spurred her comeback when the team faced Korea in the semis, where she defeated Kim Min-sun, 17-21, 21-16, 21-19. This win helped Indonesia enter the finals against China. Komang won all four matches played in Chengdu, demonstrating her impressive consistency.

Anmol Kharb

In the first round against Canada, the young Indian prodigy managed to defeat Eliana Zhang, 21-15, 21-11. This win undoubtedly boosted the confidence of the entire team, thereby helping the Indian women’s team register their first win against Canada in Chengdu, China.

In the second round, when the Indian women’s team faced Singapore, the 17-year-old defeated Lee Xin Yi Megan, 21-15, 21-13. However, in the third round against China, she had to retire mid-match after sustaining an injury to her knee that also ruled her out of the competition.

Leong Jun Hao

In the men’s quarterfinals against Japan, the 24-year-old Malaysian defeated Koki Watanabe 21-13, 21-10. Jun Hao is currently ranked 37th in the world and defeating Koki, who is ranked 22nd, is a feat he achieved even though Malaysia did not win the Thomas and Uber Cup finals this year.

The players had last faced each other in the semi-finals of the Asia Team Championships 2023, where Watanabe defeated Jun Hao.

Tanvi Sharma

Tanvi was the youngest member of India’s women’s squad for Thomas and Uber Cup held in Chengdu, China. It was a significant stage for the 15-year-old to showcase her best performance. However, in the third round against China, she lost to the World No. 8, Wang Zhi Yi, with scores of 7-21, 16-21, which is quite impressive for a young performer like Tanvi.

India lost to China in the quarterfinals, who later went on to win the Thomas and Uber Cup, both in the men’s and women’s categories this year.

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