Rising Indian American Badminton Star Shines in Atlanta

HI INDIA NEWS DESK

ATLANTA, GA- Excelling in sports requires a combination of physical, mental, and emotional skills, and 9-year-old Sai Ratan Shankar is well aware of this. Currently ranked 6th in the USA Badminton Junior Ranking (Boys Singles Under 11 category), Sai is well on his way to becoming a professional badminton player.

Sai was introduced to the sport at the tender age of six, and what started as fun quickly turned into a love for the game. Recognizing his potential, Sai’s parents decided to get him professional help, and that’s when Coach Allan de Leon entered the picture. As the former head coach of the Philippine Badminton Association, Coach Allan brought the expertise and stability needed to take Sai to the next level, and he has been instrumental in shaping his career ever since.

Proper technique is the foundation of any sport, and Coach Allan makes sure that Sai doesn’t falter in this regard. He provides support, motivation, and guidance every step of the way.

A fourth-grader from south Forsyth County, Georgia, Sai is not to be taken lightly. With early morning practice sessions before school and extended sessions after, his relentless training and hard work have paid off. He has been wowing audiences with his technique and resilience, beating players with much more experience.

Sai’s support system is fortified by the Atlanta Badminton Club, located in Johns Creek, GA, and owned by Chandra Sivalingam. Chandra provides a safe and encouraging environment for training, and is very accommodating of Sai’s schedule.

Sai has competed in various tournaments around the States, and each win has made him more confident in his pursuit. In 2023, he started the year with a bang, bringing home 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals. Notable wins include a Bronze in the Boys Singles and Gold in both Boys Doubles & Mixed Doubles categories in the 2023 South California Open Regional Championship, and a Silver for Boys Singles Under 11 and Bronze in Boys Doubles Under 11 in the 2023 South Frisco Open Regional Championship.

The future looks bright for this young and talented player, and he is fully focused on what is to come.