‘He quit his job’: Unnati Hooda’s emotional tribute to father after World Championships debut win | Badminton News

Unnati Hooda’s Emotional Tribute to Father After Dominant World Championships Debut

NEW DELHI – In a poignant moment following her successful debut at the BWF World Championships on Tuesday, 18-year-old Indian shuttler Unnati Hooda delivered an emotional tribute to her father and coach, Upkar Hooda, highlighting his immense sacrifice in shaping her burgeoning badminton career.

Unnati, showcasing a blend of composure and tactical prowess, secured a commanding straight-game victory over Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzar with a score of 22-20, 21-16 in her opening round match. The win sets her up for a challenging encounter against the 13th seed, Michelle Li of Canada, in the next round. However, the true significance of the day for Unnati transcended the scoreline, as she opened up about the unwavering support of her father.

Upkar Hooda, a former university-level player himself, made the extraordinary decision to resign from his government college position to fully dedicate himself to his daughter’s badminton aspirations. This monumental sacrifice, allowing him to travel with and mentor Unnati full-time, underscores the profound commitment behind her journey to the international stage.

"I’m not forced (into badminton)," Unnati stated, her voice filled with gratitude. "Of course, there is a massive contribution from my family and my dad. He quit his job as well. So, I cannot express in words how much he has contributed to me, but I am really thankful that I have a great family who supports me a lot."

Her father’s continued presence and guidance were evident even during her World Championships debut. Despite Unnati now training at the Chhotu Ram Stadium Badminton Academy in Rohtak under coach Parvesh Kumar, Upkar Hooda was prominently in her corner, offering invaluable advice throughout the match. When asked about her support team during the intense competition, Unnati simply replied, "No, that was my father. Right now, I train with him, my father."

Drawing Confidence from Ayush Shetty’s Upset

Unnati’s composure on such a grand stage is further bolstered by the recent success of her compatriot, Ayush Shetty. Shetty’s stunning upset victory over the world No. 1, Shi Yu Qi, on Monday, has instilled a renewed sense of belief among the Indian contingent, proving that they can challenge the sport’s elite.

"It’s a very special moment (my first World Championships)," Unnati shared, radiating confidence. "I just want to focus on my game tomorrow. I want to give my all, 100 percent, and just enjoy it because it’s going to be a good match."

Referencing Shetty’s remarkable win, she added, "He (Shetty) is my good friend, and he played really well yesterday. And he definitely won against the seeded number one here. So, it really gives everyone confidence that you just remember who you are and just give it all. On the court, it is one versus one, and anybody can lose and anyone can win. So just believe in yourself."

Strategic Play Against Thuzar

Against Thuzar, Unnati displayed remarkable patience and adaptability, particularly in navigating the drift conditions within the arena. She revealed that much of the opening game was spent understanding the shuttle’s movement before she asserted her control in the crucial closing stages.

"In the first set, I was just trying to understand the drift and everything, but she was also playing very well, and it was going neck-and-neck," Unnati explained. "But I think in the last five points of the first game, I controlled and stayed patient, and then she made some mistakes."

Observing the dynamics of the court, the young shuttler strategically adjusted her game in the second set, leveraging the conditions to her advantage. "And then in the second game, I was able to see that from that end of the court, the attack is going faster, so I just played my game, attacking, and it helped me to stick to the plan," she concluded.

Unnati Hooda’s inspiring debut, coupled with her heartfelt tribute to her father’s extraordinary commitment, has set a compelling narrative for her journey at the BWF World Championships, highlighting not only her athletic promise but also the powerful support system fueling her ambitions. For more details on this inspiring story, visit The Times of India.