Lucknow, July 27: The Yonex Sunrise 1st UP State Junior U-19 Major Badminton Tournament concluded in Lucknow on a high note, with emerging talent from across Uttar Pradesh showcasing exceptional skill and grit. Held from July 24 to 27 at the state-of-the-art BBD Badminton Academy, the tournament was a celebration of young shuttlers’ determination, passion, and competitive spirit.

Organized by the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA) in collaboration with the Lucknow Badminton Association (LBA), the four-day tournament witnessed a strong turnout and featured competitive matches across boys’ and girls’ singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories.

Kapil Salouniya Dominates with Triple Crown

Among the standout performers was Kapil Salouniya from Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, who clinched three titles – Boys’ Singles, Boys’ Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. In the singles final, he defeated Husain Ansari of Gorakhpur in straight sets (21-18, 21-11), demonstrating clinical precision and calm under pressure. Partnering with Abhishek Kushwaha, Kapil also lifted the Boys’ Doubles trophy, beating Devang Tomar and Sanrekh Chaurasia 21-17, 21-16.

Kapil’s third title came in the Mixed Doubles, where he teamed up with Aaditya Yadav to overcome Sanrekh Chaurasia and Divyanshi Gautam in a thrilling three-set final: 11-21, 21-16, 21-17. His all-round consistency and stamina set him apart as one of the brightest prospects in the tournament.

Taranjeet Kaur Claims Girls’ Singles Title

In the Girls’ Singles category, Taranjeet Kaur from Moradabad put on a spirited show. After losing the first game to Divyanshi Gautam of Agra, she came back strongly to win 17-21, 21-10, 21-12. Taranjeet’s agility, court coverage, and composure were central to her title run.

Girls’ and Mixed Doubles Highlight Teamwork

The Girls’ Doubles final was dominated by the duo of Aaditya Yadav (Gorakhpur) and Ridhima Singh (Moradabad), who stormed past Kirat Chaudhary and Rudrakashi Rana (Ghaziabad) with a commanding 21-9, 21-13 win. Their coordination and aggressive net play were highlights of the contest.

Aaditya, who also won the Mixed Doubles alongside Kapil, emerged as another top performer of the tournament.

Leadership and Support at the Forefront

The prize distribution ceremony was attended by top officials and dignitaries of Uttar Pradesh badminton, who praised the rising talent and reiterated their commitment to promoting the sport across the state.

Present on the occasion were:

• Shri Viraj Sagar Das, Chairman, UP Badminton Association
• Shri Navneet Sehgal, President, UP Badminton Association
• Shri Sudharma Singh, Hony. Secretary, UPBA
• Shri Arun Kakkar, Vice President, UPBA
• Shri Anil Dhyani, Organising Secretary, LBA
• Shri Yogesh Shetty, Convenor, Tournament Committee
• Shri Abhijeet Yadav, Advisor, Tournament Committee
• Shri Ram Mohan Agarwal, President, LBA

The dignitaries applauded the efforts of the players, coaches, and organizing team, stating that the level of competition was a positive indicator of the sport’s growing grassroots ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.

A Promising Future for Badminton in Uttar Pradesh

The tournament, backed by Yonex Sunrise, served as a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and gain valuable match experience. With players like Kapil Salouniya and Taranjeet Kaur making their mark, the event not only celebrated present talent but also promised a bright future for badminton in the state.

As badminton continues to gain popularity in India, particularly after the country’s growing Olympic success in the sport, initiatives like the UP State Junior U-19 Tournament will play a critical role in discovering and nurturing the next generation of champions.