Who is Navmi Sharma? A look at India's No. 1 U-15 squash ace

Pictured here at the 2015 Pioneer Junior Open, Navmi Sharma is making big waves in the squash world

India’s No. 1 in the Under-15 category, Navmi Sharma is a force to be reckoned with. The teenager, at only 14 years of age, has a slew of achievements under her belt that most adults do not.

Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the youngster began playing squash at 10 – a young age for anyone, and in the first four years of taking up the sport is the country’s top ranked ace in her category - a staggering achievement for any sportsperson of any age.

Consistently the top seed at most events she participates in, Sharma most recently played at the NSCI Junior Open in her home city, reaching the finals of the event - which was open to players older and more experienced than she is, going on to take that title.

Navmi put in stellar performances earlier this year prior to her title win at the NSCI Junior Open, as she reached the final of both the Pioneer Junior Open in Cologne and the Dutch Junior Open in Amsterdam, finishing 5th in the Asian Qualifiers as well.

Following this, she was top-seed in the U-15 category at this year’s Jaipur Junior Open, held in September - an event she was the reigning champion at.

2015 has seen a slew of titles for the precocious talent, who in October won the MSSA Girls’ title in Mumbai, in only the second MSSA tournament she has ever played. A month later in November, she played the 72nd CCI-Western India Open squash tournament at the CCI courts in Mumbai and won the title there as well.

She’s now in her 5^th year in the sport.

With a skill beyond her tender years, the youngster may prefer squash, and her sporting idol does in fact wield a racquet, but one of a different kind. Her favourite sportsman is former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, considered one of the greatest players of all time and the undisputed master of clay.

Currently in the 9th standard, Sharma juggles her schoolwork and professional squash career, and counts her mother as a major influence and support in her life as she focuses on the sport. But that doesn’t mean she slacks at her academics, scoring good grades in school as well.

She is an inspiration to youngsters looking to get into sport. Considering several of today’s iconic sportspersons began training at their sport at a very young age (some of them even as 4 and 5 year olds), Sharma in contrast only began playing at 10 - young for non-sportspersons, but perhaps not so for those in the athletics world.

Despite this, and with only a handful of years in the sport, a hardworking and committed Sharma has consistently practiced and played strong squash since turning pro to be the top-ranked player in the country in her category - proving that hard work can overcome anything, even what many consider a ‘late start’.

Currently preparing for the British Open in Hull, the youngster interacted with former Indian Cricket team physiotherapist John Gloster, who works with KOOH sports, to encourage youth such as Navmi to participate in more physical activity from an early age, encouraging them and paving the way for a full-time career in sports in their future.

Young star Navmi has absolutely blazed through 2015, finishing either top or 2nd in each tournament she has played this year. Prior to her win at the CCI Western India Open in her hometown, Sharma took top prize at the Pune Open, before which she finished in 2nd place at the All-India Junior Open in Jodhpur.

Consistently among the top in her category as she works hard towards her goals, the 14-year-old has shown a commitment, drive and maturity far beyond her years.

Could she be the future of Indian squash? It is unfair to put such a large burden on such small shoulders, although for now, the teen has been carrying laurels for the country with aplomb.