Tanvi Patri wins Youth Olympics badminton silver in thriller

Fifteen-year-old Tanvi Patri has won silver in women's singles badminton at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal — the first Indian woman to take an individual Youth Olympics badminton medal. She lost the final to China's Zhang Yi Xin 21-15, 13-21, 24-26 on Thursday (5 November) after a late fightback that went to match point both ways.

Zhang, the reigning world junior champion, won the gold after what the Badminton World Federation called the most exciting match of the competition. Patri had taken the opening game 21-15. Zhang levelled by winning the second 21-13.

In the decider, Zhang looked in control at 19-10. Patri then won 11 of the next 12 points, saving five match points to reach 20-20, the BWF reported. She earned three match points of her own, but Zhang saved each and converted her seventh match point for a 26-24 win.

"I had already lost hope when it was 20-15 (in the third game). I was like 'just let me play inside', and then I made it 20 all, and I think I got three match points, but I couldn't convert it to the win," Patri told Olympics.com's Olympic Information Service afterwards. "Still, I am proud of myself that I gave myself the best chance."

Born in Bengaluru in 2011, Patri spent part of her childhood training in China before returning to India and joining the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. Coverage of her junior career has tracked a rapid rise through Asian age-group titles into the senior international circuit.

Before Patri, India's HS Prannoy (2010) and Lakshya Sen (2018) had won individual Youth Olympics badminton silver medals. Patri, who trains at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru and is supported by Olympic Gold Quest, had already won the Asian U15 and U17 titles. She said she will next play the Indonesia International Challenge.

India's medal haul at Dakar 2026 also includes silver for judoka Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada and bronzes for swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu and wushu athlete Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu, according to compiled national reports.