In a dazzling display of grit, talent, and pure sporting firepower, the UAE’s junior badminton squad stormed into the spotlight at the Spanish International U-19 Championship in Alicante, leaving badminton giants like Germany, Denmark, and Thailand in their wake. With a haul of five stunning medalsā2 golds, 2 silvers, and 1 bronzeāthe rising stars of the UAE didnāt just participate; they dominated the courts and the conversation.
Leading the medal charge was 15-year-old Riyan Malhan, who battled seasoned opponents in the menās singles to clinch gold, displaying the kind of determination and composure that marks a future champion. His win, coming just days after his birthday, was a proud moment not just for him, but for the entire UAE badminton community. In the same breath, Adam Jeslin, not even 15 yet, proved his mettle by winning silver, showing that the pipeline of talent is only getting stronger.
On the womenās side, Prakriti Bharath electrified the court as she defended her title in the womenās singles category, finishing undefeated and taking home the gold medal with grace and grit. Her final match was against fellow UAE talent Mysha Omer, who claimed silver, reinforcing the UAEās new dominance in the youth circuit.
To add to the UAEās growing medal legacy, Jeslin and Omer teamed up for the mixed doubles and earned a bronze medal, defeating top European seeds before bowing out to Thai siblings in a hard-fought semi-final.
This unprecedented performance is no accident. It reflects the UAE Badminton Federationās investment in high-performance programs, supported by national initiatives like āRoad to Dakar 2026ā and āPathway to Los Angeles 2028.ā Federation President Noura Al Jasmi praised the teamās hard work, stating this was a testament to what can be achieved through vision, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
With Spain conquered and confidence soaring, the UAEās shuttle stars are proving theyāre not just risingāthey’re ready to rewrite badmintonās global narrative.
