BWF Badminton Junior Championship
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Tanvi Sharma Wins Silver at BWF Juniors; Badminton’s Popularity Soars Past Pickleball in 2025

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 23, 2025 04:14 pm IST
Tanvi Sharma Wins Silver at BWF Juniors; Badminton's Popularity Soars Past Pickleball in 2025

India’s own Tanvi Sharma just did something incredible. On October 19, 2025, she clinched a silver medal at the BWF World Junior Championships, capping off a stunning run. But this isn’t just about one player’s victory. It’s a signal of a massive shift happening in sports right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Historic Silver: Tanvi Sharma secured a silver medal for India at the BWF World Junior Championships on October 19, 2025.
  • Market Explosion: The badminton and tennis market is set to hit $18.9 billion by 2031, growing at a steady 5.85% CAGR.
  • Gen Z’s New Favorite: Online searches for badminton gear and apparel skyrocketed among Gen Z and Millennials throughout 2024.
  • Pickleball’s Problem: While still popular, pickleball saw eye injuries more than double from 2021 to 2024, with over 400 cases reported annually.

Tanvi Sharma’s Silver Medal Run

Look, getting to the final was a battle itself. On October 18, Tanvi Sharma fought hard to secure her spot in the championship match. The pressure was immense. But she delivered, guaranteeing herself a medal and putting Indian badminton in the global spotlight. While she ultimately took home the silver on October 19, her performance was nothing short of legendary for a junior player.

This win isn’t an isolated event. It’s happening at the same time as other major tournaments, like the LI-NING Vietnam International Series 2025, which pulled in almost 300 athletes from 19 different countries. Badminton is buzzing. Everywhere.

Is Badminton Officially Cooler Than Pickleball?

Yeah, you heard that right. For the last few years, pickleball has been the unstoppable trend. With 19.8 million players in 2024, it seemed like nothing could slow it down. It’s easy to learn, low-impact, and super social. What’s not to love?

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Well, here’s the thing. While pickleball was booming, a quieter revolution was happening. An October 23 article put it bluntly: “Move Over, Pickleball. It’s Badminton’s Turn To Be the Trendy Racket Game.” And the numbers back it up. Gen Z and Millennials are driving a huge surge in searches for badminton equipment. The whole vibe is changing.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s talk money and safety. The badminton and tennis market is projected to grow to a massive $18.9 billion by 2031. That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.85%. This isn’t just a fad; it’s a massive economic shift.

But honestly, the most shocking data is about pickleball’s dark side. A recent report revealed that pickleball-related eye injuries more than doubled between 2021 and 2024. We’re talking over 400 cases a year. It’s become so serious that experts are now strongly recommending protective eyewear for all players. Suddenly, badminton seems like a much safer bet for a casual weekend game.

So, as we celebrate Tanvi Sharma’s incredible achievement, the bigger question is what’s next for racket sports. With hybrid badminton-pickleball courts even starting to appear, the game is definitely changing. What do you think? Is it time to trade in your pickleball paddle for a badminton racket?