Ahmednagar’s Yash Anil Shah Emerges as Rising Star in Indian Badminton

Pune, 24th April 2023: Ahmednagar, a small city in Maharashtra, has always been known for its passion for politics. But, for the past two decades, it has also emerged as a hub for individual sports like Judo, Athletics, Badminton, Wrestling, and more.

Among the new generation of emerging athletes, Yash Anil Shah, a young badminton star, has been making a name for himself with his outstanding performance on the court.

Born to the leading media photographer of the town, Anil Shah, Yash, like his father, showed a keen interest in sports from an early age. Yash’s journey in the field of badminton began when he picked up a badminton racket at the age of six. Under the guidance of his father, Yash started playing and enjoying the sport. With the help of his father, national coach Vishal Garje, and renowned badminton player Uday Pawar, he received training at Maximus Academy, which helped him improve his game.

Badminton is a physically and mentally demanding sport, and Yash’s success came gradually as he matured. Yash’s game improved under the tutelage of his father and with his mother’s support, he instilled in himself the desire to play to win, no matter the outcome of the match. At the age of 13, he made a big leap forward by competing in his first national competition. He played both singles and doubles at the 2015 U-15 age group tournament in Andhra Pradesh and finished 22nd in All India rankings.

In the same year, his parents made a significant decision and registered Yash as a player for Pune district. Yash made his mark in singles and doubles, finishing runner-up in the doubles under 17 category. He was selected to play for the Pune inter-district team championship, which was held at Nashik.

In the following year, Yash repeated the same feat in singles and doubles in the under-17 age group. He and his partner became invincible in the doubles of under-17 age group at the Amanora Pune tournament. In 2017, after winning the U-17 age group at the Pune District Championship, Yash was appointed captain of the Pune team for inter-district championship, which finished runner-up.

Yash’s performance continued to soar as he won doubles titles in the state tournament at Parbhani and the Karad State Tournament. He was also the runner-up in singles at Nagpur, which earned him selection to Maharashtra’s team for the national competition in Guwahati.

Yash started playing in the U-19 age group in 2019, and his performance became more noticeable. He won the singles title in state championships twice and earned it twice in doubles. Maharashtra’s team won the gold medal in the West zone competition, and he was part of the team that won the bronze medal at the national competition.

The Covid pandemic caused a two-year hiatus in competitions, but Yash remained dedicated to training. In 2022, he returned to the game and started playing as if there was no competitive break in the last two years. He won a silver medal at the Thane inter-district championship and a bronze medal at the West zone inter-university competition. He was also selected for the All India Inter-University championships in Chandigarh and the Khelo India competitions in Bangalore.

Yash’s dedication and tireless efforts paid off when he finished second in doubles at the Senior Group State Championships in Buldana. He played his first international in mixed doubles at the MahaMetro International Challenge tournament held in Nagpur.

With a heart full of passion and a soul ablaze with determination, Yash was an integral part of the awe-inspiring team that triumphantly clinched the Gold medal in the prestigious Maharashtra state Olympics of 2023. Moreover, his stupendous skill and sheer grit enabled him to bag a Bronze medal in the doubles individuals category, leaving spectators in awe of his exceptional talent.

With the upcoming Khelo India games at Lucknow, Yash, driven by an unquenchable thirst for success, prepares to showcase his remarkable prowess for the second time. His unwavering devotion to the sport of badminton has fueled his dreams of representing the country in the Asian games and Olympics, a feat that he relentlessly strives towards with unyielding determination and discipline.

Eager to stay in peak physical condition, Yash rises at the crack of dawn, arriving on site at the stroke of 6 am to commence his rigorous fitness regimen. Every alternate day, he works up a sweat at the gym for an hour and a half, and dedicates three to four hours daily to his badminton practice, honing his skills to perfection.

However, Yash’s dedication and excellence extend far beyond the realm of sports. His academic achievements are equally commendable, having secured a first-class BBA degree from Ahmednagar College, and currently pursuing his Masters in the Commerce faculty at Lal Bahadur Shastri College, Satara. He has also completed the esteemed Australian Sports Management Certification Course, highlighting his multifaceted abilities and unparalleled potential.

Emerging as a true force to be reckoned with on the badminton horizon, Yash has garnered admiration and respect from all those who have witnessed his incredible abilities. The people of Ahmednagar and Pune hold high hopes for this rising star, eagerly anticipating the day when he will illuminate the national and international stage with his exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.