Tasnim Mir: Meet India's first-ever Junior World No.1 Badminton player

Tasnim Mir became the first Indian to grab the Junior World No. 1 badminton player ranking in the U-19 girls' single category in the latest BWF junior rankings. The 16-year-old won titles last year in the 3  junior international tournaments that led her to win the top position in the junior world rankings.

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Tasnim Mir said to PTI from Guwahati, "I can't say that I expected this. I thought I will not be able to become No. 1 as tournaments were getting affected by Covid but I won three events in Bulgaria, France, and Belgium. So I am really happy that I could become the world No. 1. It is a great moment for me," Tasnim told PTI from Guwahati."

She further added, "I will completely focus on the senior circuit from now on and looking forward to playing at Iran and Uganda next month. My aim now is to improve my senior ranking. If I can weave some good performances and get into top 200 by end of the year that would be great."

No Indians could achieve Tasnim's feat yet including the legend PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. She was also a part of India's campaign at the Thomas and Uber Cup held last year in Denmark. Tasnim said that this was quite impactful and helped to improve her game.

She said, "It was a huge moment for me, it was first time that I was among the seniors, playing against world-class players in big stadiums, it was a great experience. I also met Viktor Axelsen there, I like his game. I also like to watch players such as Tai Tzu Ying and An Seyoung."

Tasnim's journey into the sport:

Her father Irfan Mir gave her the first lessons on badminton. He is a badminton coach and also ASI in Mehsana police. She shared, "My father is a badminton coach and also works for Mehsana police. He has always been interested in sports and used to take me along with him when I was about 7-8 years old."

The young shuttler is taking training from Indonesian coach Edwin Iriawan at the Assam Badminton Academy in Guwahati for the last four years. Tasnim said about her trainer, "I have been training for last four years under Edwin, it has been great experience, we get to train with men players, so it has helped to improve my game."

Tasnim has already added a lot of feathers in her cap. She claimed the title of the national junior champion (U-19) at the age of 14. Also, she won the national crown in the U-13, U-15, and U-19 girls' singles categories. She also clinched the titles of U-15 singles and doubles at the All-India Sub-Junior ranking tournaments, held in Hyderabad and Nagpur in 2018. The young player also emerged victorious at the Asian U-17 & U-15 Junior Championships in Indonesia in 2019. Her most recent victory came at the President Cup Nepal Junior International Series 2020 in Kathmandu.

Tasnim Mir said as advice and signed off saying, "I will need to work on my stamina and mental aspect of my game, which will play a big role. I have confidence on my shots but it is important to focus on mind," she signed off."