Hyderabad: Promising young shuttler Saina Sharma of Delhi World Public School, Kompally, and trainee of GBA Academy delivered a remarkable performance at the Yonex-Sunrise 12th Telangana State Sub-Junior (U-13) Badminton Championship 2026, securing silver medals in both Girls’ Singles and Girls’ Doubles and qualifying for the upcoming National Championships.
Saina’s campaign was highlighted by a major upset in the pre-quarterfinals, where she defeated a strong national-level, top-ranked opponent with a convincing margin, showcasing her exceptional confidence and match control.
Maintaining her strong momentum, Saina registered a convincing 15-8, 15-10 victory over Rohitha Rekapalli in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, she overcame another highly ranked All India player, Madalasa Sai Komerally, in a thrilling three-game contest 13-15, 15-13, 15-8, displaying outstanding resilience and composure under pressure.
In the Girls’ Singles final, Saina faced top-seeded Shanvi Reddy Nimma, who played exceptionally well to win 15-7, 15-11. Despite the result, Saina fought bravely against a strong and experienced opponent, showing grit and determination till the last point.
In the Girls’ Doubles final, Saina, partnering Anvireddy Gade, put up a spirited performance but narrowly lost to the strong pair of Madalasa Sai Komerally and Veditha Reddy Katukuri with a close scoreline of 13-15, 14-16, reflecting a highly competitive match where margins were minimal.
While the winners displayed excellent skill and composure to clinch the titles, Saina’s overall performance stood out for her fighting spirit, ability to challenge top-ranked players, and consistency across both categories.
Her achievement has brought pride to her coaches, family, school, and academy, as she now sets her sights on making a strong impact at the National