Apeejay School, Noida student on her badminton dreams

Shivi Aggarwal, a spirited Class 7C student from Apeejay School, Noida, is making waves on the badminton court. Recently, she played a key role in leading her team to 3rd place at the CBSE Cluster XIX Badminton Tournament 2025 in Agra. Inspired by the legendary PV Sindhu, Shivi has been steadily pursuing her dream of becoming a professional badminton player. In this interview, she shares insights into her journey, training routine, and ambitions for the future.

Read edited excerpts:

Shivi, how did you first get introduced to badminton?

I had no real interest in badminton until I was around eight. One day, I started watching matches on TV and that’s when PV Sindhu really inspired me. Slowly, I began to admire the sport and felt that maybe I could play it too. Before that, I had only played casually with my father when I was very young.

When did you decide to take the game seriously?

Just about a year ago. That’s when I started proper training. Since then, I’ve been putting in three hours of practice daily. After practice, I study in the evenings, so I balance both school and sports.

How did you feel when your team secured 3rd place in the CBSE tournament?

We were extremely happy because honestly, no one expected us to reach that far. I still remember one match where we thought we were losing, but we gave our best and managed to win. That was one of the most memorable moments for me.

You’ve already played many tournaments. Can you share a little about your achievements?

I have five medals so far – two from district level and two from local tournaments. I have also played at the state level, though I didn’t win a medal there. These experiences have only motivated me to push harder.

What are your long-term goals in badminton?

My dream is to play at the international level and represent India. That’s what I’m working towards every single day.