India No. 1 in Under-17 girls singles Parul Choudhary of Rajasthan to now focus on junior international badminton tournaments
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Jaipur: There are many firsts associated with Parul Choudhary. The talented Rajasthan girl was the first shuttler from the state to achieve No. 1 national ranking in the U-17 girls singles which helped her break into the national squad last year.
The teenage southpaw was also the first from the region to clinch the junior international crown as well as winning two Badminton Association of India-conducted national ranking tournament titles in a season.
After a dream run in 2024, Parul now wants to aim bigger and focus on the Under-19 category. The 16-year-old is planning to compete in a series of international tournaments to improve her world rankings.
"Now, my focus is shifting towards the U-19 category and international-level competitions.
Upcoming tournaments like the Sri Lanka International, Kotak Junior International, and the Junior Grand Prix are my next big targets. With continued dedication and training, I believe I can achieve even greater goals," Parul told TOI on Monday.
The Churu girl hogged the limelight when she grabbed the U-19 girls singles title at the Nepal Junior International Series in December 2024. Despite being unseeded, Parul bagged her maiden title by toppling several seeded players on her way to triumph.
It was only the second international tournament for Parul. In August last year, Parul was picked in the Indian team for the Badminton Asia (U-15, U-17) Junior Championships held in China.
A couple of international exposures has boosted her confidence a great deal and made her believe that she is now ready for the greener pastures.
"Hard work, consistent practice, and the belief of my loved ones have brought me here. I'm proud to share that I have won several state and national-level tournaments in the last couple of years and became India's No.
1 in the U-17 girls singles section," said Parul, who trains under coach Manish Sharma in Gurgaon.
Besides her coach, Parul is grateful for the continuous support she gets from her family members and sponsors.
"This journey wouldn't have been possible without the support of my coach, OGQ, and my family, who have constantly guided and encouraged me. I want to achieve more glory so that I can make Rajasthan and the country proud with my performance in the coming years," added Parul.
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