Shuttler Tasnim Mir caps European sojourn with another title

WhWhat do you least expect from a badminton player who has played six matches the day before the final? Throw in the towel and concede the final without competing! Or contest the final without playing to her true best.

Shuttler Tasnim Mir, all of 16, did neither of these. In Brussels on Sunday, the Indian took to the court for the U-19 women’s singles final of Belgian Open, puked on the court while leading by a game and 18-10 in the second, before blazing past her opponent to win her third successive tournament over the past two months.

The Indian thrashed Antonia Schaller of Germany 21-10, 21-11 in the summit clash to win the Belgian Open tournament.Last week, she triumphed in France, winning the junior women’s singles title at FZ Forza Alpes International held at Voiron.

In August, she had clinched the Bulgarian Junior Open Championship in Sofia. Speaking to TOI after winning the title, Tasnim said, “ My body was tired and I was feeling extremely stiff. But, I managed to play. Though I vomitted on the court while leading 18-10 in the second game, I won easily in the end.”