UAE’s badminton prodigy Riyan Malhan targets Olympic glory

Dubai: Rising UAE badminton talent Riyan Malhan is setting his sights on the 2028 Olympics as he continues his impressive surge in world badminton.

“My next target is the UAE tournament, which is at my home court, and, of course, the short-term target is the 2026 Youth Olympics. However, I want to make it to the 2028 LA Olympic Games,” said the Dubai Gems Private School Grade 9 student. “To achieve my goals, one has to be prepared to make sacrifices. It’s needed as a sportsman to reach the top level. I don’t see that as an option. I do it for the results, and it’s showing in my game,” he added, displaying a clarity in his approach and discipline beyond his age, on and off the court. He’s happy to miss out on parties and give up junk food in pursuit of his dreams.

Early passion

Born in the UAE, Malhan took up badminton as a hobby when his father, Vipul Malhan, introduced him to the game. His passion for the sport was immediate.

“My father used to play badminton in his younger days, but my grandfather didn’t support him because back then, sport wasn’t a first priority. So, he introduced me to badminton, and I really liked it. I pushed myself because I enjoyed it. I used to play even when I was bored,” Malhan shared. He idolises Chinese badminton great Lin Dan and hopes to emulate him in his career.

In 2022, Malhan clinched the silver medal in the All-India Sub-Junior Under-13 Ranking tournament in Mumbai. He also represented Delhi in the National Championship in Lucknow, where he reached the quarter-finals.

Tasting success

The 14-year-old has been making waves internationally, becoming the first player from the UAE and West Asia to earn a medal at the Asian Badminton Championships in August. He lost a closely fought semi-final against China’s Qian Jia Xing, 21-16, 21-17, to clinch the bronze medal in Chengdu, China. Prior to that, Malhan had defeated Indonesian and Chinese opponents and triumphed over South Korea’s Kim Da Han in a fiercely contested quarter-final.

“It was a good experience overall. I think I should have won the semis. If I had, I’m sure I would’ve won the final,” a confident Malhan said. “I’ll do it next time when I get the chance to represent the UAE. There was a lot of hard work in preparation, both mentally and physically, but we managed it well.”

Continued success

Malhan showcased his real potential earlier this year when he won the Bulgarian Junior Under-19 tournament, despite facing tough competition.

“It was my first Under-19 title and the first time I travelled alone without my parents. So, it was a bit of a struggle, but in the end, I got a medal, which helped me,” Malhan shared.

Despite his recent success, Malhan doesn’t feel burdened by pressure. Instead, he views it as motivation to keep improving.

“I wouldn’t say it’s really pressure; it’s more of motivation from my academy, coaches, and parents to prove myself better each time,” he said.

Praise from coach

Malhan’s dedication and drive haven’t gone unnoticed by his coaches. His Prime Star Academy coach, Tshering Samdup, oversees his evening training, while Sunarno Martotiyoso coaches him during morning sessions.

“Riyan definitely has a bright future. I’ve seen huge potential from the very beginning and incredible progression, which makes all of us happy. Right now, we’re focusing on the process, and there’s been significant improvement in his technical skills and physical development. There are many good signs. Hopefully, he will achieve all the goals we’ve set for him,” Samdup said.

Danish coach Michael Nobaek, who trained Malhan during the UAE high-performance camp for the World Junior Championships in Nanchang, China, from September 30 to October 13, echoed this sentiment.

“Riyan is one of the best talents in the next group of UAE players. He has the potential to do big things, but from my experience, it requires a lot of hard work,” Nobaek remarked.

With the right approach, Malhan is showing he’s on the path to moving up the ranks in the world of badminton.