<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/korea-masters-2026-kidambi-srikanth-suffers-early-exit-tanvi-sharma-through-to-next-round-23643496" rel="nofollow">India's budding badminton star Tanvi Sharma</a> won the Taipei Open Super 300 title earlier this month to clinch her maiden BWF World Tour title after defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen.&nbsp;
Tanvi is the youngest champion in the tournament's history, achieving the feat at the age of just 17 years and 222 days.
She is also the first Indian woman since <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/saina-nehwal-says-india-needs-to-win-more-medals-in-every-sport-to-be-a-sporting-nation-23644969" rel="nofollow">Saina Nehwal</a> in 2008 to win the title. Becoming only the second Indian woman to win the title, she labelled her achievement as a special one while speaking exclusively to mid-day.com.
"I feel very special, and honestly, it's a very proud moment for me to win a Super 300 title. It is something that I have worked very hard for, and to achieve it for India makes it even more special," she said.
"I am really happy with the way I have handled myself throughout the tournament, and I hope this is just the beginning of many more achievements," added Tanvi.
The teen revealed that her mother wanted her to build a career in sports, after which she started developing her love towards badminton.
"I chose <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/sindhu-compares-monkey-whisperers-at-world-cships-in-delhi-to-wimbledons-hawk-rufus-23644542" rel="nofollow">badminton</a> because my mom wanted me to pursue an individual sport. She wanted me to grow and make a career in it. Slowly, I started enjoying the sport more and more. I just focused on working hard and improving every day, and that&rsquo;s how I continued with badminton professionally," said Tanvi.
When asked about one of her core memories, she recalled the time when she received an opportunity to showcase her skills in Nehwal's presence.
"One of my core memories is when I was around six or seven years old. Saina Didi had come to a tournament as the chief guest, and I got an opportunity to hit some tosses with her. I still remember that moment very clearly, and it&rsquo;s one of those memories that has stayed with me throughout my journey," she recalled.
Following her triumph, several badminton fans have compared her with legendary Nehwal. The 17-year-old athlete sees the comparison as motivation, but also wants to carve her own identity.
"It feels really good because Saina Di has been such an inspiration for Indian badminton and has achieved so much for the country. I also understand that I have a long way to go and I want to create my own journey and achieve things in my own way. These comparisons definitely motivate me to work even harder and just keep improving," she said.
In the semi-final match of the tournament, Nguyen defeated Indian player Unnati Hooda 21-15 and 21-18. When asked if she felt a sense of revenge for her compatriot's defeat against the Vietnamese player in the semi-final, Tanvi said that she only focused on her own game.&nbsp;
"I wouldn't call it revenge. Of course, I knew she had beaten an Indian player in the semi-finals, but once I stepped on the court, my focus was only on my own game. I wanted to stick to my tactics, stay calm, and give my best. It was about winning the match for myself and the country, rather than taking revenge," said Tanvi.
The Punjab-born athlete secured a dominant 21-16, 21-16 win in the title clash that lasted for just 36 minutes.&nbsp;
The Indian then recalled the moment when she sensed the feeling of victory in the final.
"I was trying not to think too much about the result and was trying to stay focused and play every point properly. At the end, when I realised I was getting close, there were definitely a lot of emotions. I was thinking about all the hard work, training, difficult days, and everyone who has supported me. It was a very special feeling," Tanvi recalled.
<h2>Tanvi Sharma eyes Asian Games 2026 glory</h2>
Following her triumph, she has now shifted her focus to preparations for the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/india-retain-harmanpreet-kaur-as-captain-for-asian-games-2026-despite-underwhelming-womens-t20-world-cup-2026-campaign-23637556" rel="nofollow">Asian Games 2026</a>. Tanvi aims to stay consistent and perform well on Asia's biggest stage.
Speaking about financial support, she expressed gratitude to Momentum By Raise.
"I am really grateful for the support that I have received from Momentum By Raise and the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Their support has helped me with the training, travel, and international competitions, allowing me to focus more on my game," she concluded.

Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma discusses her historic title win, Saina Nehwal comparisons, and her ambition to carve her own identity

Exclusive | 'I want to create my own journey...': Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma on comparisons with Saina Nehwal

India's Satwiksairaj-Chirag are podium pushers!

Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma opens up about her historic BWF World Tour title, becoming the tournament's youngest champion and India's first women's winner since Saina Nehwal in 2008. The 17-year-old also discusses comparisons with the badminton legend

Exclusive | Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma aims to carve her own identity despite comparisons with Saina Nehwal

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Exclusive | Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma aims to carve her own identity despite comparisons with Saina Nehwal