BWF Badminton Junior Championship
BWF World Junior ChampionshipsIndian BadmintonUnnati Hooda

India’s Historic BWF Medal: Unnati Hooda Sparks 45-33 Comeback vs Korea; Bronze Secured

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 3 months ago | Oct 25, 2025 09:12 am IST
India's Historic BWF Medal: Unnati Hooda Sparks 45-33 Comeback vs Korea; Bronze Secured

History. That’s the only word for it. The Indian junior badminton squad just did something that’s never been done before, clinching the country’s first-ever mixed team medal at the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 in Guwahati. They secured a historic bronze after staging an unbelievable comeback against Korea in the quarter-finals on October 23, 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • India won its first-ever mixed team medal (bronze) at the BWF World Junior Championships.
  • The team defeated Korea in a thrilling quarter-final comeback with scores of 44-45, 45-30, 45-33.
  • Unnati Hooda was a key player, delivering crucial points at decisive moments to turn the match around.
  • The event took place in Guwahati, Assam, marking a huge moment for Indian badminton on home soil.

The Comeback That Defined an Era

Look, it didn’t start well. Things looked tense when the Indian team dropped the opening set 44-45 to a very strong Korean side. You could feel the pressure mounting in the National Centre of Excellence. But then, something shifted. The team didn’t just fight back; they dominated.

They stormed through the second set, winning it 45-30. The momentum had completely flipped. By the third set, the confidence was soaring, and they closed out the match with a decisive 45-33 victory, punching their ticket to the semi-finals and, more importantly, guaranteeing that historic medal.

Unnati Hooda: The Star of the Show

When you need someone to step up, you look for a player like Unnati Hooda. In the most critical moments of the tie against Korea, she delivered. The research data highlights her for hitting ‘crucial points at decisive moments,’ and that’s exactly what champions do. Her performance was a massive factor in India’s ability to not just recover but to take control of the quarter-final.

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It wasn’t just her. The entire squad showed incredible grit. Tanvi Sharma, who later went on to win a silver in the girls’ singles, was also a vital part of this bronze-winning team. It shows the amazing depth of talent coming through the ranks.

What This Historic Bronze Really Means

So, why is this such a big deal? For years, India has produced incredible individual talents, but a mixed team medal at the junior world level was the one that got away. This bronze isn’t just a trophy; it’s a statement. It proves that India is now a powerhouse in team events, with a well-rounded squad of future superstars.

The journey didn’t end with a gold, as they faced the defending champions Indonesia in the semi-finals on October 24. But securing the bronze has already set a new benchmark for Indian badminton. This is the moment a new generation announced itself to the world.

What do you think this means for the future of badminton in India? Let us know in the comments!