Anupama eyes to be among top-5 in national circuit

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, April 9

15-year-old Panchkula shuttler Anupama Upadhyaya achieved the highest ranking of her career but she is not stopping here.

Currently ranked 63rd in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World junior girls’ singles (U- 19) category and 13th in the Badminton Association of India (BAI) singles U-19 rankings, Anupama is now eyeing to improve her rankings to be among the top-5 in the national circuit and top-50 in the world. In her latest feat, she won silver medal in the Kenya International Series in Mombasa. Earlier, she won bronze in the Ugandan International Series in Kampala, followed by another bronze in the President Cup Nepal Junior International Series Tournament in Kathmandu (Nepal). She won her third bronze in the Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix Tournament in Indonesia. She had also represented India in the Sub-Junior Asian Badminton Championship in Surabaya, where she had reached in the pre quarterfinals.

For improving her rankings, she will be now eyeing for a podium finish in the upcoming Senior National Championship, scheduled to be held in Lucknow from April 27 to May 2. “A position in national championship will surely improve my rankings. I am eyeing to grab more achievements in the national circuit to play better international championships,” said Anupama, who is also selected in the Kehlo India programme and currently trains at Shining Star Academy (Bahadurgarh).

When asked if the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown affecting her practice sessions she said, “It has affected worldwide. I am staying at home and watching some old videos to observe my mistakes. I am also taking online fitness classes.”

“I will be playing in the Kenya International Series in Mombasa, which is also a BWF approved tournament. The top performers of the national circuit will be allowed to play in this championship. I have more championships lined-up in August and September.”

She had also won the 33rd Sub Junior National Badminton Championship in Bhubaneshwar and won bronze medal in the 44th Junior National Badminton Championship in Rajamundry (Andhra Pradesh). She won another bronze in the Dr Jakkampudi Rammohan Rao Memorial 44th Interstate Zonal Junior National Badminton Championship in Rajamundry.

“Winning the women’s singles in the North Zone Inter State Badminton Tournament at my hometown (Panchkula) was special. Soon after, I had won the North zone Interstate Zonal Badminton Tournament–again in Panchkula,” said Anupama, who have won many state championships for Haryana.