Poorvisha unplugged

Bangalore's 17-year-old ace shuttler who remained unbeaten in Nationals duirng 2012 will look to carry winning momentum next year

Shortly after landing in Chandigarh, Poorvisha S. Ram, still jet-legged, was strutting around the wooden court at the Panjab University Badminton Hall. Despite the nip in the air, Poorvisha headed straight to the venue where she will begin her campaign in the Smt Krishna Khaitan Memorial All India Ranking badminton tournament in girl's Under-19 singles, doubles and mixed doubles categories. The swagger in her steps resonated her new-found confidence on the court. Unbeaten in girl's doubles and an equally impressive record in the mixed doubles this year, it was easy to see why Poorvisha is eager to finish the year on a high in the year-end junior ranking national tournament. Poorvisha, 17, the India Number One in U-16 girl's doubles section, is the top seed in both the Under-19 girl's doubles and mixed doubles.

"2012 has been the best year in my playing career. Firstly, my partner and I were the only ones to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Youth Under-19 Badminton Championships at Korea. Then, I won the title at international tournament at Pune, played in the World Junior Championship at Japan and then won my third doubles title at Nationals at Imphal. I have played consistently throughout the year and I hope the carry the momentum next year," said the shuttler from Bangalore.

Initial burst

THOUGH Poorvisha' initial burst on the scene was almost a fairy tale but her career hit a roadblock when while practising on an uneven ground during a national camp at Lucknow, she injured her ankle. More than the physical, it was the mental pain as she battled the career-threatening injury. Few months later when she was ready to hit the strides again, Poorvisha couldn't quite elevate her singles game to the top level. Hurt and confused, it was BN Sudhakar, her coach for the last eight years, who suggested her to switch to doubles.

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