Bornil plans switching to senior category after U-15 gold in China

Bornil Aakash Changmai. PIC/ Badminton Association of India

India shuttler Bornil Aakash Changmai, 13, who became the second player from the country after Siril Verma (2013) to win a gold at the Badminton Asia U-17 and U-15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China, wants to play in the higher age group (U-17) category from next year. The Assam player says his win in the U-15 event at China has given the confidence to make a switch despite having a year left in the U-15 age group. Bornil's achievement has come a decade after Siril's feat. In the final in China, Bornil defeated Fan Hong Xuan of China 21-19, 21-13.

Meanwhile, Bornil, who arrived from China last week, said he will next play the All India Junior Sub Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Badminton Tournament in Bangalore (November 28-December 5). "I still have another year in U-15, but I plan to start playing in the U-17 and U-19 categories from next year. I am confident of playing against my seniors. I know that initially it could be tough, but I play in the U-17 category at the All India ranking tournament," Bornil, a class VIII student of the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sivsagar, Assam, told www.mid-day.com.

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When asked about his toughest match of the tournament in China, Bornil replied: "I feel the pre-quarters against the Japanese [Mahiro Matsumoto] which I won 18-21, 21-16, 21-13 was the toughest. There were nervous moments as I was 0-1 down. It was a chat with my coach Kabir Borah [also his personal coach] which helped me register a come-from-behind win. I was lucky to have my own coach accompanying us in China. That was a blessing for me."

Talking about his badminton journey, the young shuttler said he started learning the sport when he was in Class II. "My father [Bhupen] enrolled me in badminton coaching when I was really young. For the first couple of years I wasn't sure if I would continue playing the sport. But after I won the U-13 national title, things changed and I started taking badminton more seriously," remarked Bornil, who is inspired by Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei's dedication and strength.