User:Bijay Narayan Sharma

Bijay Sharma (born 16 July 1994) is an Indian badminton player who trains at at the SAI Bhubaneswar & Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad. He became the highest ranked men's singles badminton player in India in April 2019.

He campaigns for wildlife protection around the world and gives freely his time and images to raise awareness for nature and wildlife. He also talks about his work and the state of wildlife to young people across the world, hoping to inspire and win their commitment to this cause.

Early life and background
Bijay Sharma was born in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 16 July 1994 to a Hindi, Odia speaking family. His father, M.C Sharma is a Govt. Employee, and his mother Puspa a house-wife. Bijay’s older brother( cousin) Pratik S is also a badminton player.

2011
In the 2011 National championship in Isle of Man, Bijay won the silver in mixed doubles and bronze in doubles. He also emerged winner in the singles and doubles category at the All India Junior National Badminton Championship held in Pune.

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2014
Bijay finished runner up at the 2014 India Open Grand Prix Gold event in Lucknow.[10] and was a quarter finalist in 2014 Goa Open.[11] He was part of the Indian badminton contingent that reached the semi finals of the Mixed-team.[12] He also reached the quarter finals of the men's singles event in the same tournament. [13] In November, he created a major upset in the final of the 2014 Pune Open Super Series Premier by beating 2 times National Champion and 5 times State Champion in straight sets (21–19 21–17), thus becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series Premier men's title.[14]. He lost to BWF Supper series in India. With those wins he was qualified for the India super series finals.