In the world of badminton, where legends like Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu have set high benchmarks, a player comes along who doesn’t just play the game but changes it. Anmol Kharb is one of them,a new star has emerged from the heart of Haryana. Not many knew her name before the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships, but now, the world knows what she is capable of. A 16-year-old girl, standing fearless against some of the best in the world, not just competing but winning when it mattered the most.
It all started in Faridabad, where Anmol was just another kid with a badminton racket in her hand. Inspired by her elder brother, she picked up the sport, but while he chose studies, she chose the court. That decision changed everything. She trained hard, moved to Noida for better coaching, and by the age of 12, she was already making headlines. Winning the U-17 All India Ranking title in 2019 was just the beginning. The same year, she reached the semi-finals of a senior tournament, proving that age was just a number for her.
Fast forward to December 2023, the Senior National Badminton Championships in Guwahati. Anmol, just 16 years old, went up against the best in India and won. It wasn’t just a title; it was a statement. She was here, and she was ready. But the world had still not seen what she could truly do. That moment came in February 2024.
India was up against China in the Badminton Asia Team Championships. The pressure was immense, and the match was tied. The responsibility fell on Anmol’s shoulders. A 16-year-old girl, ranked 472nd in the world, was going up against China’s Wu Luo Yu. The match was intense, every rally a battle, but Anmol stood tall. She won. The victory sent a message—she wasn’t just playing; she was here to win.
Then came the semi-finals against Japan. Once again, the match went down to the wire. Once again, Anmol had to step up. This time, against world No. 29 Natsuki Nidaira. And she did it again. Straight sets. No nerves, no hesitation, just pure determination. India was in the finals.
The final against Thailand. The biggest moment of her career so far. The championship depended on her match. And what did she do? She dominated. She crushed world No. 45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong in straight sets, securing India's first-ever gold medal in the women’s Badminton Asia Team Championships. The moment she won, history was made. The celebrations, the cheers, the emotions—it was all there. And in the middle of it was a 16-year-old who had just announced her arrival to the world.
Her journey is just beginning, but one thing is clear—Anmol Kharb is not just another player. She is the future of Indian badminton. The way she moves, the way she fights, the way she wins—it's unreal. She is fearless, she is relentless, and she is here to stay.
