Rising badminton sensation Riyan Malhan has etched his name in the record books by securing the United Arab Emirates’ first-ever singles gold medal at the Badminton Asia U17 & U15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China. The 16-year-old top seed displayed remarkable composure in the final, overcoming Hong Kong’s Zhan Shing Yui in straight sets, 15–5, 15–9. His triumph was doubled by his performance in the doubles category, where he teamed up with Adam Jeslin to capture a hard-earned bronze medal.

Reflecting on his journey, Riyan admitted that the path to victory was far from easy, noting that many of his early matches required intense comebacks after dropping the opening sets. Despite the pressure of being the tournament favorite, he remained focused, acknowledging that conquering the Asian stage—the most competitive region for the sport—is a massive indicator of his potential on the world stage. Officials, including Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, praised the achievement as a testament to the success of the UAE’s grassroots sports development initiatives. With eyes now set on the upcoming Junior World Badminton Championships, Riyan’s historic double-medal haul stands as a proud milestone for both his budding career and the future of badminton in the UAE.