Injury can’t stop Anmol: A heroic performance leads Haryana to National Games gold

Anmol Kharb, the much acclaimed young shuttler of India, displayed incredible tenacity and determination as she helped Haryana clinch the badminton women’s team gold at the 38th National Games in Dehradun on Saturday.

The 18-year-old was not in the best of shape, having twisted her ankle the day before the final while attempting a smash against Gujarat’s Tasnim Mir in the semifinals. But Anmol’s resilience shone through as she refused to quit, showing unwavering commitment to both the game and her team.

Although she lost the singles match after a tough 51-minute battle with Tasnim, Anmol did not show any sign of slowing down. Forming a scratch pairing with Unnati Hooda, she won the women’s doubles match in just 36 minutes to help Haryana through.

In the final, despite her injury, Anmol played a 70-minute match against Aditi Bhatt from Uttarakhand, pushing her opponent to the limit. Anmol eventually lost 21-13, 17-21, 22-24, but her performance was nothing short of inspiring.

Without rest, Anmol paired up with Unnati once again for the doubles match, which lasted a draining 71 minutes. This time, the duo delivered when it mattered most, winning 12-21, 21-16, 21-18 against Gayatri Rawat and Mansa Rawat, giving Haryana a 2-0 lead. The team clinched a 3-1 victory in the tie.

Known for her exceptional performances in singles, Anmol’s contribution to women’s doubles, despite not being a regular doubles player, was key to Haryana’s success.

“Before this, we won the gold medal together at the U-19 National Team Championships in 2023," Anmol told The Bridge when asked about her endeavour in women's doubles.

"We also won the gold at the Senior National Championships when I paired up with Unnati,” she elaborated.

'My ankle got twisted'

Reflecting on her injury, Anmol explained, “My ankle got twisted during the first game of the semifinal when I tried to hit a smash. I played the entire match but could not give my best. After that, I played with a tight taping because we did not have any other options. Still, I played the doubles match and we won it. The condition is better now, but I will need to continue using the taping for a few more days.”

While Anmol is now focused on her singles campaign at the National Games, her attention will soon shift to her 12th-grade board exams, keeping her away from badminton for a while. She will miss the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025, starting on February 11.

'Cannot skip 12th board exam'

“I cannot skip the exam. I have to focus on my studies, especially since my mother insists on me studying hard. The exams start in mid-February, so after this tournament, I will take a break from badminton,” she said.

Last year, Anmol made a remarkable impact on Indian badminton by helping the country win the historic Badminton Asia Team Championship title, despite having no prior senior-level experience.

“That was a moment I will never forget. It was because of that performance that people started recognizing me. It was also a great opportunity to play alongside seniors, and that memory will always stay with me,” she recalled.

When asked about missing this year’s Mixed Team Championships, Anmol responded, “I am not really missing it. I will cheer for India, and even though this year both the men’s and women’s teams will compete in one event, I’ll support India and hope we win the medal again.”

Currently ranked 67th in the world, Anmol remains focused on improving her ranking, but for now, her main priority is her upcoming exams.