Giant leap for 14-year-old Mehsana as she enters U-21 badminton

Tasnim Mir will turn out for Gujarat at the Khelo India Youth Games in the U21 Girls singles badminton event, but for all intents and purposes, Guwahati is her home.

This, because for the past year now she has been training at the Kanaklata Indoor Stadium under Suranjan Bhobora and Edwin Iriawan.

After capturing the attention of the Indian badminton spectrum with a superb performance in 2016, the 14-year-old from Mehsana was invited to the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad.

After a training stint there she has now shifted to Guwahati and enjoying the success the move has brought.

"It's great that the Games are happening here. I could say I have home-court advantage, but technically I don't," she said, sitting on the sidelines of the opening day of the badminton competition.

Instead of defending her U17 gold, Tasnim has climbed up an age category this year, and will compete with athletes much older to her. The pressure, the gameplay and the psychological challenges don't faze her though.

"Why should I have the pressure?" she laughed.

"They are the older players, they should have the pressure of beating the kid."
"Nonetheless, the step up in age group means she will go up against faster, stronger players, players with more acumen. All of it obviously help her."
"I don't mind if I miss a medal this year, if the experience helps me for the next five years."
"But its alright, because in a way as parents we have neatly divided up responsibilities."