American Gold Sports Alliance

JUNE 2021 ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

BHAAVYA MANIKONDA

Badminton

Bhaavya is a newly graduated senior from Naperville North High School. Her dad inspired her to play to learn discipline, the importance of fitness and athletics, and having fun. All her hard work paid off when she became the 2021 Illinois High School Association Girls Badminton State Champion! This past June she also competed in the USA National Junior Girls Badminton Tournament and Qualified to play in Pan American Junior Tournament in Mexico!
 
In the fall, Bhaavya will attend Carnegie Mellon University to study business admin and computer science. She will continue to play recreational badminton and keep working hard towards her goals!

Golden Nuggets With Bhaavya

1. How mnay years have you played for your team?

I played varsity badminton all throughout high school (freshman to senior year). I was also first in the lineup every year. I am currently ranked number 2 nationally in singles and 3 in doubles. I won the IHSA badminton state for singles in 2019 and 2021 as well.

2. Why did you start playing badminton?

My dad always wanted to put me in a sport for three reasons: learning discipline, learn the importance of fitness and athletics and having fun. There was a badminton club near the house we moved into in 2012 so he signed me up and I have played and grown ever since. 

3. What is your favorite badminton memory?

My favorite memory while playing would be when I was warming up to play singles finals at the Pan American Junior Tournament in Moncton, Canada. The previous year I played in the same tournament in Brazil and I lost the first round so it was satisfying to see hard work and perseverance be worth it. The entire year before this day I made sure to stay motivated with the three reasons my dad had in mind and having that purpose helped me stay grounded towards my goal and it was cool to see everything pay off.

4. What is a lesson you learned from badminton?

I learned that experience comes from more than just winning. If you want to be successful, failure is bound to be a stepping stone. Badminton is a fun recreation sport but it can also be a beautiful competitive sport and sticking with it and embracing the challenges it brings is key.

5. What are three words you'd use to describe badminton?

I would describe badminton as uplifting, dynamic, and gritty.

6. How has badminton affected your life as a student-athlete?

Badminton definitely had an impact on my academic life when I first started high school because I had not yet learned how to balance both. I was able to fix this problem by setting up schedules and to do lists for even little time periods of my day because even though I might not stick to them completely, I can refocus even after getting off track. I also would be in the moment when in school and doing homework and then also would have my mind completely up present when playing badminton so I am not thinking about other aspects of my life. Badminton did create moments of stress for me because of how it constructed my time for everything else but I now have the lifelong skill of time management and self composure. 

7. What are you doing now that your high school season is over?

I do still play now and am currently attending a camp to train for nationals that are happening at the end of June (June 2021). After this tournament, I will be going to college in the fall so I will stop training as regularity and will play for fun and fitness and not as competitively.

8. How has participating in badminton camps helped you?

Badminton camp not only improved my physical and mental endurance but also gave me a place to be around other people who are willing to put in work and appreciate badminton as a sport. The friends I have made are forever and they have taught me so much and given me some of my favorite memories. 

Featured Articles About Bhaavya

Golden Nuggets With Bhaavya Manikonda- IHSA State Girls Badminton Champion

•
Athlete Spotlight, badminton, Women's Sports, Youth Sports

Our Sports Program Coordinator, Elizabeth Blaszynski, had the opportunity to sit down and talk with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls …

From Rio in 2016 to Tokyo in 2021: For PV Sindhu, it’s All About Change

•
Athlete Spotlight, badminton, Women's Sports

Vinayakk Mohanarangan Sindhu’s second trip to the Olympic Games is going to be a vastly different to the one she embarked on …

Linda French Named as USA Badminton CEO

•
badminton

USA Badminton has unanimously selected Olympian Linda French to serve in the position of Chief Executive Officer.  “The entire board of directors …

"Experience comes from more than just winning. If you want to be successful, failure is bound to be a stepping stone."

Bhaavya Manikonda
@AGSASports
@AGSASports
@AGSAGold

FEBRUARY 2021 ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Bhaavya Manikonda

Badminton

Bhaavya is a newly graduated senior from Naperville North High School. Her dad inspired her to play to learn discipline, the importance of fitness and athletics, and having fun. All her hard work paid off when she became the 2021 Illinois High School Association Girls Badminton State Champion! This past June she also competed in the USA National Junior Girls Badminton Tournament and Qualified to play in Pan American Junior Tournament in Mexico!
 
In the fall, Bhaavya will attend Carnegie Mellon University to study business admin and computer science. She will continue to play recreational badminton and keep working hard towards her goals!

1. How long have you played for your team?

I played varsity badminton all throughout high school (freshman to senior year). I was also first in the lineup every year. I am currently ranked number 2 nationally in singles and 3 in doubles. I won the IHSA badminton state for singles in 2019 and 2021 as well.

2. Why did you start playing badminton?

My dad always wanted to put me in a sport for three reasons: learning discipline, learn the importance of fitness and athletics and having fun. There was a badminton club near the house we moved into in 2012 so he signed me up and I have played and grown ever since. 

3. What is your favorite badminton memory?

My favorite memory while playing would be when I was warming up to play singles finals at the Pan American Junior Tournament in Moncton, Canada. The previous year I played in the same tournament in Brazil and I lost the first round so it was satisfying to see hard work and perseverance be worth it. The entire year before this day I made sure to stay motivated with the three reasons my dad had in mind and having that purpose helped me stay grounded towards my goal and it was cool to see everything pay off.

4. What is a life lesson you learned from badminton?

I learned that experience comes from more than just winning. If you want to be successful, failure is bound to be a stepping stone. Badminton is a fun recreation sport but it can also be a beautiful competitive sport and sticking with it and embracing the challenges it brings is key.

5. How does badminton affect your life as a student-athlete?

Badminton definitely had an impact on my academic life when I first started high school because I had not yet learned how to balance both. I was able to fix this problem by setting up schedules and to do lists for even little time periods of my day because even though I might not stick to them completely, I can refocus even after getting off track. I also would be in the moment when in school and doing homework and then also would have my mind completely up present when playing badminton so I am not thinking about other aspects of my life. Badminton did create moments of stress for me because of how it constructed my time for everything else but I now have the lifelong skill of time management and self composure. 

6. What are three words to describe badminton?

I would describe badminton as uplifting, dynamic, and gritty.

7. What are you doing now that your high school season is over?

I do still play now and am currently attending a camp to train for nationals that are happening at the end of June (June 2021). After this tournament, I will be going to college in the fall so I will stop training as regularity and will play for fun and fitness and not as competitively.

8. How has participating in badminton camp helped you?

Badminton camp not only improved my physical and mental endurance but also gave me a place to be around other people who are willing to put in work and appreciate badminton as a sport. The friends I have made are forever and they have taught me so much and given me some of my favorite memories. 

Golden Nuggets with Bhaavya Manikonda

"Experience comes from more than just winning. If you want to be successful, failure is bound to be a stepping stone."

Bhaavya Manikonda

Featured Articles About Bhaavya

Golden Nuggets With Bhaavya Manikonda- IHSA State Girls Badminton Champion

•
Athlete Spotlight, badminton, Women's Sports, Youth Sports

Our Sports Program Coordinator, Elizabeth Blaszynski, had the opportunity to …

From Rio in 2016 to Tokyo in 2021: For PV Sindhu, it’s All About Change

•
Athlete Spotlight, badminton, Women's Sports

Vinayakk Mohanarangan Sindhu’s second trip to the Olympic Games is …

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@AGSASports
@AGSAGold

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