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India’s 17-year-old shuttler Anupama Upadhyaya has become the new World No.1 player in the Under-19 singles category in the BWF junior rankings. Anupama pipped compatriot Tasnim Mir to grab the first position in the rankings on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old from Panchkula claimed junior international titles in Uganda and Poland earlier this year which helped her in claiming the top spot in the rankings.
Anupama is the only sixth Indian shuttler to top the junior rankings. She has 18.060 points from 18 tournaments. Anupama also recently cracked the senior women’s top 100 rankings and is currently World No. 63rd. Coming from the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy, the 17-year-old has had a terrific run this year.
Anupama made it to the semifinals of the Syed Modi International Super 300 in January before entering the quarterfinals of the Orleans Open Super 100 event. She is currently preparing for the Junior World Championships scheduled to be held in Santander, Spain, from October 17 to 31.
“I am really happy today. I have achieved a milestone. Now, the next target will be to break into the top 40 in the senior category. Last six months have been good for me and I have won a number of championships,” said an elated Anupama to the Tribune.
She said: “My focus is now on the Junior World Championship. I needed a podium finish to retain the top rank in the junior’s category. This is a dream come true and I wish to keep living it for a longer period of time.”
Apart from Anupama, there are three more Indian girls in the top ten of the BWF Junior Rankings. Three other Indian female shuttlers in the top 10 are Tasnim Mir (No. 2) and two 14-year-olds - Anwesha Gowda (No. 6) and Unnati Hooda (No. 9).
