Hopes of the nation: Anand Pawar at Yonex Dutch Open 2013

Anand Pawar, the son of former international badminton players Uday Pawar and Sujata Pawar, is an emerging Indian Badminton player from Mumbai. Born on 18^th July, 1986 in Mumbai, the 27 year old Indian will be representing the nation in the upcoming Yonex Dutch Open Tournament from 8^th October, 2013 to 13^th October, 2013. Pawar is among the nine Indian players participating in the 65^th edition of Dutch Open and also is the top ranked Indian player in this tournament. The Mumbaikar currently ranks 37in the World rankings in the Men’s Singles category.

Pawar has been struggling between 40s and 50s in the Men’s Singles rankings for two years, and everytime he had the opportunity to push on, injuries pulled him back. In 2011, Anand got injury in the ligament of his right foot in the French Open and it took him 3 months to recover from the same. In the year 2009, he had a slip disk while playing against Peter Gade and was again out for 3 months.

In April 2012, Anand Pawar finished as a runner up in the Dutch International badminton tournament due to an unfortunate injury. In the Final match of the category, the unseeded Indian player was forced to give a walkover to fifth seeded Indonesian player – Andre Kurniawan Tedjono due to a severe pain in his abdomen.

In February 2013, World No.51 Anand Pawar made his way to the quarterfinals of the German Open Badminton championship in Germany defeating Hsuan Yi Hsueh of Taipei in straight games.

In April, 2013, he was successful in making his way to the semi-final of the India Super series event despite getting tough draws. He defeated World No.19 Takuma Ueda from Japan, third seed Yun Hu of Hong Kong and young Indian sensation Ajay Jayaram. In the semi-final encounter, Pawar got even a tougher draw as he had to face sixth seeded Japanese player Kenichi Tago and the Indian lost the game 21-16, 21-11.

Anand was also a member of the Indian side for the Sudirman Cup 2013 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May 2013.

In July 2013, Anand Pawar was thoroughly disappointed for not being bought at the Indian Badminton League auctions. He was one of the last two men’s singles players from India available for auction, but unfortunately the money of most of the franchises had exhausted by that time in buying other players. At that time, Pawar was at 43^rd position in the Men’s Singles rankings and deserved a place in the Indian Badminton League.

In September 2013, in Japan Open Badminton, Anand Pawar registered victory over World No.12 Indonesian player Sony Dwi Kuncoro – the 2004 Athens Olympics Bronze medalist by 21-17, 7-21 and 21-18. In this 59-minute match, Anand Pawar played very confidently and tackled brilliantly Sony Dwi Kuncoro – the silver and bronze medalist in 2007 and 2009 World Championship respectively.

Pawar jumped from 43^rd to 37^th spot in the Men’s Singles rankings after displaying a good badminton show in the Japan Open Tournament defeating top seeded players.

Even after frequent injuries, Pawar has emerged as a good badminton player for India in the recent times. He is a player with strong determination and true devotion for the game of badminton. Being the top ranked Indian player in the side, the fans will be expecting a decent show from the Mumbaikar in the upcoming Yonex Dutch Open Badminton tournament from 8^th October, 2013.