|
|
click this icon for latest updates
Last updated on - July 26, 2025, 10:57 AM IST
By
Ankit Kumar
Badminton player Unnati Hooda is in the headlines these days. In the China Open Super 1000 tournament, she created a sensation by defeating India's veteran player PV Sindhu 21-16, 19-21, 21-13.
However, 17-year-old Unnati Hooda had to face defeat in the quarter-finals at the hands of Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 16-21, 12-21. This defeat could not reduce the shine of her performance.
Born in Chamaria, a small village in Rohtak district of Haryana, Unnati started playing badminton at the age of just 8. Her role model has been PV Sindhu herself, whose matches she used to watch on TV in her childhood.
Unnati's father Upkar Hooda even left his job to support his daughter's badminton journey. Unnati fulfilled her father's hopes by winning the Under-15 National Championship in 2019.
Unnati's hard work paid off when she won the Odisha Open 2022 at the age of 14. With this, she became the youngest Indian to win the BWF Super 100 title.
In the same year, Unnati reached the final of the Badminton Asia Junior Championship (Under-17) and won the silver medal. Apart from this, she also registered brilliant victories in Abu Dhabi Masters and India International Challenge 2023.
Earlier this year, Unnati reached the semi-finals of the Taipei Open Super 300 tournament. Now her world ranking has become 35. In the last phase of the careers of PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, Unnati Hooda has given new hope to Indian badminton.
Follow Us 