How a seven-year-old from Rohtak rose to the BWF World Tour
In short: At just seven years old, Unnati Hooda began her journey at the Chottu Ram Stadium badminton academy. Today, she is a formidable force in international badminton, having secured multiple BWF World Tour titles and representing India on the global stage.
Born on 20 September 2007 in Rohtak, Haryana, Unnati Hooda's ascent in the badminton world was fueled by her father Upkar Hooda's passion for the sport. Her competitive career began in earnest in 2021 at the India International Challenge, where she reached the finals but ultimately lost to Anupama Upadhyaya. Her early training took place at the Chottu Ram Stadium academy. This foundation helped her navigate her first major competitive appearance.
Her breakthrough came in January 2022 at the Odisha Open. By defeating Smit Toshniwal in the final, she secured her first BWF World Tour tournament victory. That same year, she demonstrated her versatility by becoming a silver medalist in the U17 singles event at the Badminton Asia Junior U17 and U15 Championships in Nonthaburi, Thailand. This victory marked her inaugural win on the BWF World Tour. She also achieved success in Thailand during the same year.
Hooda continued her momentum into 2023, claiming her second BWF World Tour title at the Abu Dhabi Masters by defeating Samiya Farooqui. She followed this success by winning the India International Challenge, defeating Tasnim Mir in straight games. Her rapid rise also saw her named as a member of the 2022 Uber Cup Indian team, marking her as a key figure in Indian badminton. Her victory in Abu Dhabi was her second such title. She also triumphed in the India International Challenge.
The BWF World Tour, which she competes in, is a tiered series of elite tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation. Since its implementation in 2018, the tour has included various levels ranging from Super 1000 down to the Super 100, providing the professional framework for athletes like Hooda to compete at the highest level. The series was officially announced in March 2017. It features various levels including Super 750 and Super 500.
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