UNNATI HOODA BIOGRAPHY: The 15-YEAR-OLD BADMINTON PHENOM

At just 15, Unnati Hooda has already made a name for herself in badminton. She is the youngest Indian player to reach the U-17 Women’s Singles final of the Badminton Asia Junior Championships and is quickly becoming a rising star.

Through dedication, hard work, and sheer determination, Unnati has achieved what many players dream of. Despite her young age, she has fearlessly entered tournaments and competed with some of the sport’s greatest athletes, beating them to win her place in the final. As a result, she has gained recognition from some of badminton’s most prominent names. However, she still thrives on more consistency in her game.

“I want to add consistency to my game. I can pick up more skills over time, but I want to attain consistency early. I have to work harder,”

  – Unnati Hooda

Her hard work and perseverance have made her a strong competitor on the court; she leverages techniques such as power smashes, drop shots, and clever angles to surprise her opponents. In addition, her impressive footwork and agility make her a difficult opponent to beat.

Unnati Hooda’s Background and Early Career

Born in Rohtak, Haryana, in a family of educationists, Unnati highly respects her roots. Her grandparents were professors, and her parents, too, are associated with academics. Nevertheless, the 15-year-old badminton sensation is making waves in the competitive circuit.

She began playing badminton when she was 8 and has been coached by her father, a university-level player, ever since. Unnati’s father enrolled her at Chhotu Ram Academy, where she has been training under coach Pravesh Kumar since 2015. She started playing in both singles and doubles formats. She paired up with Palak Arora before becoming a full-time singles player. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her academy was shut down, so she began training on the street outside her home for almost two years.

Unnati attributes much of her success to her father and coach, saying they have helped her progress in skill and mental strength. In addition, she credits their guidance with helping her to stay focused and determined despite tough losses or setbacks.

Unnati Hooda’s Coach Parvesh Kumar

Parvesh Kumar has been instrumental in honing Unnati’s skills. From an early age, the coach instilled the value of hard work and grit in Unnati. Through proper training and development, he has helped her to reach new heights. He has taught her to focus on her goal, stay disciplined, and push herself daily.

Coach Parvesh Kumar is also credited with introducing Unnati to a more tactical approach to matches. His help has enabled her to develop strength and agility on the court, which have become crucial components of her game.

He has also coached her mentally– teaching her how to get out of difficult situations when she is under pressure during matches and keep herself calm regardless of the score line. Over the years, Unnati Hooda’s coach, Parvesh Kumar’s teaching, nurtured this mental toughness that Unnati displays today.

Unnati Hooda’s Rankings and Records

At just 15 years old, Unnati Hooda has already achieved a remarkable level of success in the world of badminton. She has secured a place among the sport’s youngest and most talented. In just three years, Unnati has set several records and climbed the rankings:

–     She is currently ranked No. 1 in India in the women’s U-17 singles category – securing her place as India’s top junior female badminton player.

–    In 2020, Unnati became the first Indian to reach the U-17 women’s singles final at Badminton Asia Junior Championships.

–     Unnati was the runner-up in the women’s single category at the BWF international challenge in 2021.

–     In January 2022, she won the Odisha Open to claim her maiden BWF World Tour title.

–    With the BWF world tour title, she also broke a record and became the youngest Indian to win a Super 100 title.

–     She was also part of the team to win gold at the 2019 Asian Nations Junior Team Championship.

With all these achievements at the beginning of her international career, it is clear that Unnati is a rising star on the badminton court with a bright future ahead.

Setting an Example for Upcoming Players

At only 15, Unnati Hooda sets an example for all aspiring badminton players in the country. She has demonstrated what is possible when you follow your goals with dedication and resolve. She has drawn inspiration from her idols, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. She is striving towards becoming the next excellent star in Indian badminton.

Ultimately, Unnati Hooda’s success shows that with sheer dedication, goals are met. She inspires young players everywhere and reminds us all that success comes down to hard work and refusing to give up on your dreams.