17-Year-Old Tanvi Sharma Wins Taipei Open 2026, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
17-year-old Tanvi Sharma created history by winning her maiden BWF World Tour Super 300 title at the Taipei Open, becoming the youngest player in the tournament's history to claim the crown in any category.
The Indian shuttler produced a dominant display in the women's singles final on Sunday, defeating Vietnam's sixth-seeded Nguyen Thuy Linh 21-16, 21-16.
With the victory, Tanvi became only the second Indian woman to win the prestigious title after Saina Nehwal, who lifted the trophy in 2008. The triumph also ended India's 17-year wait for a title at the tournament and marked the country's third overall victory at the event. Previously, the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju had won the title during the tournament's Grand Prix Gold era in 2009.
Tanvi made an impressive start in the opening game, storming to a commanding 10-2 lead. Although Nguyen fought back to narrow the gap to 10-8, the Indian teenager maintained control and comfortably secured the first game 21-16.
The second game began with Tanvi trailing 0-3, but she quickly regained her rhythm and turned the contest around. Displaying an aggressive approach, she relied on sharp cross-court shots and precise placement to keep her opponent under constant pressure.
She eventually wrapped up the match 21-16, sealing the title with a superb cross-court drop shot after just 36 minutes. ALSO READ: CWG 2026: Preeti, Jaismine and Sakshi Power India to 7 Boxing Golds
Speaking after her memorable victory, Tanvi said, "I'm really happy to win this title. Going step by step and match by match, I just wanted to give my best here and felt I played really well throughout the tournament. I was quite nervous, but I told myself to give 100 percent and stick to my game."
17 years old. Fearless. Unstoppable.
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 2, 2026
History belongs to Tanvi Sharma!
With a sensational triumph at the Taipei Open 2026, Tanvi becomes the youngest-ever champion in the tournament's history and only the fourth Indian women's singles player to win a BWF Super 300+… pic.twitter.com/r8nG51ZHXu
The remarkable achievement places Tanvi among an elite group of Indian badminton stars. She is now only the fourth Indian women's singles player to win a Super 300-level tournament or higher, joining Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Devika Sihag.
She has also become the third-youngest player in the world to win a BWF Super 300 title.
