Riyan Malhan wins UAE’s second Youth Olympic gold medal in badminton

Riyan Malhan became the United Arab Emirates’ first Youth Olympic gold medalist after winning the badminton final in Dakar, Senegal, The Times of India reported. The 16-year-old defeated France’s Mady Sow 21-17, 21-18 to secure the historic victory, making the UAE’s only previous Youth Olympic medal—a 2018 showjumping silver—its second-ever medal from the Games.

Illness to Triumph: Malhan’s Dakar Campaign

Malhan’s path to gold was not without adversity. Just days before the tournament in Dakar, the Dubai-born shuttler was battling a fever and struggling to recover. His initial goal was simply to get healthy enough to compete. Instead, the former junior world No. 1 overcame his illness to deliver a performance that etched his name in UAE sporting history.

“After beating the Chinese player in the semifinal, I was really confident,” Malhan said during a virtual interaction from Dubai. “I knew I had a chance to make history for the UAE.”

From Delhi to Dubai: A Journey Across Continents

While Malhan represents the UAE on the badminton court, his journey in the sport began in India. Fondly known as “Rio” at home, the shuttler trained at prestigious academies in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, winning the Delhi state title and climbing to No. 3 in India’s Under-13 rankings before switching allegiance to the UAE.

The family’s decision to have him represent the UAE was driven by circumstance, his father, Vipul, said. Born and raised in New Delhi, Vipul Malhan is an avid shuttler himself. Riyan’s maternal grandparents continue to live in Gurgaon, keeping a strong connection to India.

Daily Dedication: The Life of a World-Class Junior

The Youth Olympic gold was the culmination of years of sacrifice, travel, and rigorous training across Asia. Malhan’s daily routine in Dubai begins at 5 a.m. with fitness work, followed by multiple on-court sessions at the Hong Xing Badminton Academy at Dragon Mart under coach Michael Nørbaek. The day includes gym work and recovery activities.

According to his father, Malhan’s passion for badminton extends far beyond the training court. “His first passion is badminton, and his second passion is the first passion,” Vipul explained. “In his free time, he studies the game. He watches different shots, different strokes, tries to copy them and then improve on them.”

This obsession with the sport is reflected in his play. Vipul highlighted his son’s greatest strengths: a naturally gifted wrist for deceptive shots, exceptional anticipation to read the game, and sharp net play.

Family Foundation: The Support System Behind the Medal

The foundations for Malhan’s skills were laid early. He first picked up a racket at the age of four, accompanying his father to the court. “My dad made me try different sports,” Malhan said. “But I really enjoyed badminton. I connected well with the shuttle and that’s what made me fall in love with the sport.”

The family fully backed his passion, sending him to train in India, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. During a stint in China earlier this year, he even had the opportunity to play an exhibition match against former world No. 1 Kento Momota. Throughout his training abroad, the family maintained a consistent rule: “We never left him alone,” Vipul said. “Whether it was Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Malaysia, Thailand or China, one of us was always there with him.”

Much of that support came from his mother, Vasudha, who left her job seven years ago to support his career, and his grandmother, Swatantra Malhan, who passed away earlier this year.

What’s Next: Targeting the 2028 Olympics

Despite the magnitude of his Youth Olympic achievement, Malhan views it as just one step in a longer journey. His immediate targets are medals at the World Junior Championships and Asian Junior Championships. Looking further ahead, his sights are set firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Many players who win Youth Olympic gold go on to become successful senior players,” Malhan said. “I hope I can also become a top-five or a top-10 player in the world one day.” Having already made history for the UAE at 16, his ambition is clear.

Answering Questions About Riyan Malhan

Q: How old is Riyan Malhan?
A: Malhan is 16 years old.

Q: Where did Riyan Malhan train as a junior?
A: He trained at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad and the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru.

Q: What are Riyan Malhan’s next major goals?
A: He is targeting medals at the World Junior Championships and Asian Junior Championships, with his ultimate aim being the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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