Hailing from a lineage of academicians, Riyan Malhan, a student at Dubai Gem Private School, might have envisioned securing a scholarship at prestigious institutions like Harvard or Stanford. Riyan is indeed diligent in his academic pursuits, attending classes five days a week in Dubai. However, it is outside the classroom where this 14-year-old discovered his passion—badminton.

As a teenage prodigy, Riyan made history on Saturday by becoming the first player from the UAE and West Asia to win a medal at the Badminton Asia U17 & U15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China. He earned the bronze after a closely contested semifinal against the eventual champion, Qian Jia Xing of China, with scores of 21-16, 21-17. Achieving a podium finish in a tournament where he defeated formidable opponents from China and Indonesia is a significant accomplishment for a UAE player.

“I am thrilled because it’s the first time anyone from the UAE has won a medal at the Asian Junior Championships,” Riyan told the Khaleej Times from China. “The competition was intense, with participants from countries like China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I was confident about reaching the final, though I lost the semifinal—a match I felt I could have won.”

Riyan’s immediate goal is to claim gold at the next edition of the Asian Junior Championships, while his long-term aspirations include participating in the 2026 Youth Olympics and the 2028 Summer Olympics. “I aim to qualify for the Olympics and win a medal for the UAE. Although my parents are from India, I was born in Dubai and am proud to represent the UAE on the international stage,” he stated.

Vasudha Malhan, Riyan’s mother, expressed that it would be a dream come true for him to represent the UAE at the Olympics. “Riyan was born here, making Dubai his home. He has competed in the Junior Indian Championships but always aspired to represent the UAE internationally,” she explained. “We are thankful for the support and infrastructure provided by the UAE Badminton Federation and the school. It’s remarkable how Dubai attracts top players from Europe and India for training.”

Vipul, Riyan’s father, a former state-level shuttler in India, shifted his focus to academics. “Both my husband and I come from academic backgrounds. When Riyan showed interest in badminton, his father supported him, and he began playing at the age of four,” Vasudha recounted. Riyan’s achievements, including a gold medal at an under-19 tournament in Bulgaria, have endeared badminton to his grandparents.

“Both sets of grandparents are immensely proud of Riyan. They follow his matches closely, and his success has united the family, with everyone cheering for him during his games,” Vasudha concluded.