Rourkela: When it comes to tribal athletes from Odisha, the sports that usually come to mind are hockey, football, or athletics. Breaking this stereotype, 17-year-old Vishakha Toppo from Rourkela has created history by earning a place in the Indian badminton squad — a sport long considered elite.
She has been selected in the 25-member Indian team for the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships, to be held in Guwahati from October 6 to 19. Vishakha will represent India in the mixed doubles category, becoming the first tribal player ever to represent the country in an international badminton championship.
Born on September 25, 2007, Vishakha is the youngest of three sisters in the family of Charo Toppo, and Jayashree Toppo. Employed with Rourkela Steel Plant, Charo Toppo is a big sports lover particularly badminton. Inspired by their father’s passion for sports, all three daughters took to the field. Vishakha recalls: “Our father worked tirelessly to ensure we played. Even after long shifts, he would practice badminton with me late into the night.”
Recognising her talent, her father enrolled her in the Badminton Training Centre at Sector-9, where she trained under coach Mohammed Hasim. At the age of 12, she justified her father’s belief by becoming Odisha’s Under-13 champion. In 2020, she was selected for the SAI Regional Academy in Bhubaneswar, and in 2023, she moved to the National Centre of Excellence, Guwahati.
Coach Dilip Panchati, impressed by her backcourt skills and powerful smashes, advised her to switch from singles to doubles — a decision that proved pivotal. Today, she ranks No. 2 in India in junior mixed doubles, winning several major tournaments with her partner Pragati Parida.
Career Highlights
1. 2019 – Odisha Under-13 Champion
2. 2023 – Under-19 Doubles (Bronze)
3. East Zone, Kolkata – Gold
4. Hyderabad National Sub-Junior – 2 Bronze medals
5. Udaipur Under-19 Ranking Tournament (Doubles) – Silver
6. 2024 Khelo India, Chennai – Silver
7. 2024 East Zone, Gaya – Gold
8. 2024 47th Junior Nationals, Bhubaneswar (Mixed Doubles) – Gold
Vishakha has also represented India in ranking tournaments across Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Inspired by football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, her badminton idols are the Japanese doubles pair Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama.
“Badminton is an expensive sport, often dominated by players from affluent families. But I want to prove that with hard work and determination, financial barriers can be overcome. Representing India is a matter of pride, but I believe in results. My dream is to win an Olympic medal for the country,” says a confident Vishakha.
