Serving a state’s dream: Lalthazuala’s journey from Aizawl to the Asian stage

Hmar Lalthazuala once again brought glory to Mizoram. Only seventeen then, he stood tall at the podium with a gold medal after winning the under-19 boys’ singles category at the Yonex Sunrise All India Junior National Badminton Tournament in Panchkula, Haryana.

Affectionately known as Thazuala, he entered the tournament seeded 11th, but went on to stun third seed Ansh Negi with a confident straight-set victory: 21-19, 21-16. More than just a personal milestone, the win marked Mizoram’s growing presence on India’s badminton map. The youngster has played a significant role in this.

Weeks later, he was named to the Indian squad for the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2025, held in Surakarta, Indonesia, in July. Thazuala marked his transition to adulthood during the tournament, celebrating not only a birthday but also a major career milestone.

India topped Group D in the mixed team event, with Thazuala contributing two individual victories, against UAE’s Riyan Malhan and Hong Kong’s Lam Ka To. Although the team’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought loss to former champions Japan, Thazuala stood out with his consistency.

In the individual leg, he began with a comprehensive win over Singapore’s Tay Ron Hsien Justin. But the Round of 32 proved to be a tough hurdle as he lost to Indonesia’s Richie Duta Richardo, who went on to reach the semifinals.

While China dominated the tournament, India returned with two bronze medals (Tanvi Sharma and Vennela Kalagotla), and Thazuala gained valuable experience competing at the highest level of junior badminton in Asia.

Thazuala has also earned selection for the World Junior Badminton Championships, to be held in Guwahati, India, in October 2025. India has been drawn in Group H alongside Hong Kong China, Nepal, and Ghana.

But behind the success is a story of quiet determination, family sacrifice, and a hill state steadily living its sporting dreams.

“I was six years old when I secretly followed my father to the badminton courts in our locality every morning. I just loved watching him play. Many times, I even skipped school. Then one day, I got caught and everything changed,” the youngster recalls.

From early morning court hunts to challenging sacrifices, Thazuala’s rise was made possible by a father who trained him, a mother who held the family together, and a sister who pushed him hard.

Early beginnings

Thazuala grew up in Chanmari West, Aizawl. His father, H Zohmangaiha (Zohma), a former state-level player, practised every morning before work at a community hall with just one court. Mizoram loves badminton, and understandably, securing court time was a challenge.

Like most parents, Zohma wanted his son to focus on school. But after catching him sneaking off to watch him play, something shifted. Instead of punishing him, he chose to mentor him. It was the beginning of something much bigger.

For the next few years, the father-son duo crisscrossed Aizawl, looking for empty courts in the mornings and evenings. His mother, F Lalawmpuii, a government employee, supported them with one condition: education would not be compromised.

At just seven, Thazuala played his first tournament in the under-13 category. Although he lost in the second round, he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A year later, he made it to the semis, losing to the top-ranked player. Encouraged by his progress, his father enrolled him in a proper badminton training academy.

As his talent grew, the family faced a series of tough choices.

The bold calls

Finding proper training was not easy. Over the next many months, Thazuala trained at two academies. Still, Zohma felt his son wasn’t getting the attention he deserved.

Meanwhile, his younger sister, Rinhlui, also started showing talent in the sport. To support both children, Zohma took a bold step and quit his job to become a full-time coach at a nearby community hall. His wife became the family’s sole breadwinner.

In 2018, Thazuala played his first national tournament in Andhra Pradesh. He was only 11. Although he didn’t go far, the experience deeply motivated him. Back in Mizoram, his training continued despite limited resources, rising costs and constant pressure to balance school, training, and the ongoing challenge of finding court time and shuttles.

The game-changer

The family saw a major turnaround in 2019 when the Tata Trusts, in collaboration with Pullela Gopichand, launched the Mizoram Badminton Initiative (MBI) to nurture young talent across the region. Thazuala and Rinhlui were among the first to be selected.

For a family that had once struggled to find even an empty court, this changed many things. With structured training, experienced coaches and all expenses covered, the young shuttlers could now focus solely on their game.

School ran from 8 am to 3 pm, followed by intense training under coaches Eddie and Ponty — one sharpening on-court skills, the other building physical strength.

As part of the initiative, Thazuala also trained at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA) in Hyderabad for a month. The experience was an eye-opener as he saw what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Cruising through the COVID hurdles and beyond

In 2019, Thazuala (back row – second from left) trained at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA) in Hyderabad for a month.

When the pandemic hit, training came to a standstill across India. But in Mizoram, the situation remained relatively stable. With his father’s support and help from MBI coaches, he continued to train in nearby localities. Online classes and virtual workouts kept the momentum.

By 2021, Thazuala had become Mizoram’s under-15 champion. A year later, at 14, he won the under-17 singles title in the MBA (Mizoram Badminton Association) Official State-Level Tournament. That same year, he and four others received full scholarships to join PGBA’s residential academy in Hyderabad.

There, under coach Anil Sir, his days were packed with morning and evening practice, fitness sessions, rest and online schooling. Living away from home was tough, but the fire in him burned stronger.

“In the first few months, I was in awe of my senior batchmates. They were my age but far superior to me. I felt my fitness wasn’t good enough, so I trained extra, even during scheduled rest sessions. I was scolded often for overtraining in the gym, but I felt I had to push harder,” Thazuala recalled.

Sajith John, Project Manager at the MBI, played a significant role during this phase.

“The way he made all of us Mizo players feel at home, even celebrating Christmas with us when we couldn’t be with our families, meant a lot. I am truly grateful to him,” Thazuala shared.

With a heartfelt gratitude, he added, “And I also thank the Tata Trusts, Gopi Sir, all coaches and members of PGBA from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.”

A historic breakthrough

In 2023, Thazuala made history by becoming the first player from Mizoram to win a Junior National Championship when he clinched the under-17 National Championship at the Jwala Gutta Academy in Hyderabad. The win opened doors to national recognition. Also, the hopes of the state rode alongside his racquet.

In the serene hills of Mizoram, badminton is no longer just a hobby or a passion; it is becoming a movement. Local courts now echo with the sound of shuttlecocks as children train, many of whom once stood where Thazuala did. These grassroots efforts are guided by mentors from the PGBA, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of opportunity and excellence.

All of this is made possible by the partnership between the Tata Trusts, Northeast Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), PGBA, local associations, and the state’s badminton community.

Today, young shuttlers from Mizoram are winning medals and inspiring future generations. For the Tata Trusts, the win is beyond the wins. It’s about creating a long-term impact on the sporting landscape of Northeast India by building opportunity.

As for Thazuala, he stands on the cusp of something greater. Preparing to represent India, he carries with him not only personal ambition but also the hopes of a state. From a single court in Chanmari West to the national spotlight, his journey is proof that with passion, support, and persistence, new champions can rise from anywhere. He will be 18 by the end of the Asian Badminton Championship, and his best rallies are yet to come.

Thazuala is one of many young shuttlers whose journey began through the Mizoram Badminton Grassroots Programme, an initiative of the Tata Trusts. Operational since 2018, the programme has trained many Mizo players, honed their skills and provided them with opportunities to showcase their talent at the national level. The initiative has helped Mizo players step onto a level playing field.

Edited and adapted for web by Suvajit Mustafi