“If it’s not badminton, we don’t have an option B. There’s an option A, which is badminton, and option B is also badminton.”
That was Vipul Malhan, father of Riyan Malhan, who made the Round of 32 at the YONEX SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships 2025. It was an indication of how far badminton has come in the UAE that emerging players like Riyan are dedicated solely to pursuing badminton as a career.
The change in direction has become apparent over the last couple of years on the junior circuit. Tuesday saw five representatives from UAE make the third round – apart from Malhan, there were Bharath Latheesh (men’s singles), Prakriti Bharath (women’s singles), Vaidehi Kalidasan/Taralaxmi Karthikeyan (women’s doubles) and Aditya Kiran/Sakshi Kurbkhelgi (mixed doubles).
Riyan Malhan and his father Vipul
It was all-in for Malhan ever since he started performing well at an early age: badminton or nothing. Born in the UAE to Indian parents, he would often travel to India to participate in tournaments and training camps. Vipul, who had played for Delhi University but couldn’t pursue it as his father insisted on him pursuing academics, is leaving no stone unturned in enabling his son pursue his dreams.
“He started getting professional training when he was five or six. I got him into camps and he started to train. He naturally took to badminton. My daughter and son both were introduced to badminton. She played very well, but then as she grew, she said she didn’t want to pursue it. But Riyan said this is the only thing he could do. And he’s pretty clear right now that his career is going to be badminton. If it’s not badminton, then we don’t have an option B. There’s an option A, which is badminton, option B is badminton.
“My wife is a teacher. She hasn’t worked for the last two years; she left the job and is fully dedicated to Riyan, taking care of his meals, driving him to training and coaching classes.”
Malhan’s first milestone was set last year, when he became UAE’s first medallist at a Badminton Asia event at the Badminton Asia U17 Junior Championships in Chengdu.
This season was notable for his back to back title victories at the Spanish International U19 and the Bulgaria Junior Challenge in June, just after he’d turned 15.
Riyan Malhan with Bharath Latheesh at the team event last week
“The best medal I’ve got was the Asian U15 bronze; that was really big because I was the first from my country to get a medal (at a Badminton Asia event),” Malhan says. “I’m quite happy and quite blessed to be in such a country that sent me to those tournaments, so it’s a good opportunity as well. I won the Bulgarian and Spanish Junior events back to back, and that was a good experience.”
On Tuesday, the 14th seed had things under control from the start against Dion Hoegen (Netherlands), coming away a straight-games victor in 21 minutes. It’s the first time he’s played the 3×15 system, and he said it suited his style.
“It’s tricky to adapt, there’s no time, you have to be fully warmed up,” said Malhan. “I like it, it’s good for me because I like to go out there and get points. It’s new for everyone, so everyone’s still adapting to it.”
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