Rising Star on the Court: Samanvi Chandra’s Badminton Journey

Class 8E student Samanvi Chandra from Apeejay School, Noida, is quickly making a name for herself in the world of badminton. Recently, she and her team clinched 3rd place at the CBSE Cluster XIX Badminton Tournament 2025 in Agra. A dedicated athlete with a love for both badminton and chess, Samanvi credits her strategic thinking as the key to her success on the court. In this interview, she shares her journey, training routine, and ambitions for the future.

Read edited excerpts:

Samanvi, when did you first start playing badminton?

I began playing when I was six after seeing my colleagues play. At first, it looked easy, but when I started training seriously from Class 6, I realised how challenging it was.

Tell us about your training routine.

I practice daily near Akshardham in Delhi. My sessions usually last two hours, and afterwards I make sure to dedicate time to studies in the evening. Balancing both has taught me discipline.

What was the most memorable part of the CBSE tournament for you?

Definitely Round 4. It was such a close game, and we only won by a few points. The excitement and relief when we won is something I will always remember.

Apart from badminton, you also play chess. How does that help you?

Chess makes me think strategically, and I use the same approach in badminton. I have even won a state-level chess tournament, which was very special for me.

Who inspires you the most in sports?

PV Sindhu is my role model in badminton. Watching her play motivates me to keep improving myself.

What are your future goals in badminton?

I want to win as many medals as possible and go on to play at the national and international levels.