Rising shuttler Unnati Hooda created history at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Junior Championships 2022 by becoming the first Indian to enter the U-17 singles final after thrashing Japan's Mion Yokouchi 21-8, 21-17 in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The U-15 singles player Anish Thoppani and the U-17 men's doubles pair of Arsh Mohammad and Sanskar Saraswat also posted brilliant victories to move into their respective finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Top-seed Unnati once again lived up to the expectations and stamped her authority in the U-17 women's singles semifinal when she wrapped up the match in straight sets. The Odisha Open champion has not yet dropped a set in her campaign at the prestigious event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Previously, the men's doubles pairs of Arjun M.R-Chirag Shetty (2013) and Krishna Prasad Garaga-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (2015) had won gold medals for India in the U-17 category at the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's a great achievement for a youngster. Unnati has proved her top-seeding with dominating displays throughout the tournament. I congratulate her on becoming the first Indian to enter the U-17 singles final at this prestigious tournament. And I also congratulate Anish, Arsh and Sanskar for entering the finals and also other Indians who secured bronze medals. This tournament is a great platform for young shuttlers and Unnati and our other shuttlers have showcased their talent with impressive performances," said Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Unnati will now take on Sarunrak Vitidsarn of Thailand in the gold medal match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The in-form duo of Arsh and Sanskar also showcased a similar dominating display against Chinese Taipei's Chi-Ruei Chiu and Shao Hua Chiu to ease into 'he U-17 men's doubles final with a commanding 21-15, 21-19 win in the lopsided Last-4 contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They will now face another Chinese Taipei opponent, Lai Po Yu and Yi-Hao Lin, in the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Later in the men's U-15 semifinal, Anish made a sensational comeback after being one set down to stun the second seed Lee Yu-Jui of Chinese Taipei with an 18-21, 21-12, 21-12 win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the final, Anish will be up against Chung-Hsiang Yih of Chinese Taipei, who beat India's Gnana Dattu 21-16, 19-21, 21-13 in another semi-final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In 2013, Siril Verma had won a gold medal in the men's U-15 singles while Samiya Farooqui and Tasnim Mir clinched U-15 women's singles titles in 2017 and 2019 respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the final, Anish will be up against Chung-Hsiang Yih of Chinese Taipei, who beat India's Gnana Dattu 21-16, 19-21, 21-13 in another semi-final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n