The 15-year-old claimed the world No. 1 ranking following a brilliant run at the Hungarian Junior Championships.
Dubai: Earlier this week at his regular training base in Dragon Mall 2, UAE shuttler Riyan Malhan was preparing for another gruelling day on court when a friend walked up to him with congratulations — not once, but twice.
The first made sense. The 15-year-old had just returned from the Hungarian Junior Championships 2026 with his first gold medal of the year. But the second caught him off guard.
“I asked him, ‘Why are you congratulating me again?’” Riyan recalled with a smile. “He said, ‘Because you’re the new Under-19 World No. 1.’ I was like, wow. That’s how I got to know.”
For many teenagers, that moment might have triggered unrestrained celebration. For Riyan, it was brief. Within hours, he was back to work — focused, composed and already thinking ahead.
“It’s a proud feeling — for me, for the country, for my parents,” he said. “It doesn’t come easily. There’s a lot of hard work, effort, education and sacrifice. But this is just a stepping stone. I want to become senior World No. 1. That’s the real goal.”
Eyes on Los Angeles
At just 15, Riyan’s ambitions are firmly fixed on the biggest stage of all — the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“The biggest goal is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles,” he said without hesitation.
Before that, there are key milestones: the Youth Olympics in Dakar later this year and next year’s senior World Championships. His calendar is packed, his pathway mapped out with remarkable clarity for someone his age.
That clarity comes at a cost. While most boys his age spend weekends at malls or with friends, Riyan’s social outings are rare.
“Maybe once in two or three months,” he admitted. “If you want to play in the Olympics, even small things make a big difference. If you go to the mall for two hours, you could train in that time. You have to sacrifice small things to reach the top.”
A Grade 10 student at Dubai Gems Private School, Riyan has already built an impressive résumé. Now the Under-19 World No. 1, he won bronze medals at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and China — historic achievements as the first player from the UAE and the Middle East to reach the podium at those events. He also secured bronze at the Asia Under-15 Championships in China in 2024.
At the 2025 Badminton World Junior Championships in Guwahati, he turned heads by defeating Indian home favourite Hmar Lalthazuala in straight games in the Round of 32.
Born into Sport
Riyan’s journey began almost as soon as he could hold a racket. Introduced to multiple sports by his father, Vipul Malhan, he discovered badminton at the age of four.
“One day my dad went to play badminton and took me along. I connected with the racket. I could actually hit the shuttle,” he said.
What began as a hobby soon became serious. By six or seven, he had decided to pursue the sport professionally. By seven, he was competing in tournaments.
“It wasn’t because anyone forced me,” he said. “I just loved it.”
His family stood firmly behind him. His mother, Vasudha Malhan, an educator, eventually left her job to travel with him as his tournament schedule expanded from three events a year to more than ten.
“She had to choose between her job and travelling with me,” Riyan said. “It was tough.”
His elder sister, now 18, shifted her focus toward academics as their parents devoted more time to Riyan’s career.
“She’s very mature,” he said appreciatively.
For Vasudha, the dream is simple: to see her son represent the UAE at the Olympics.
“Riyan was born here. This is his home,” she said. “He played in the Junior Indian Championships, but he always wanted to represent the UAE internationally. We are grateful for everything he has received here — the infrastructure, the federation, the school support. We feel blessed.”
The Daily Grind
Discipline defines Riyan’s routine. His day begins at 4:30am. By 5:30am, he is in his first session — fitness training or on-court drills. After breakfast, he returns for technical practice from 9am to 11am. Some days include another afternoon session, followed by strength training or recovery work such as swimming or yoga.
On most days, he trains close to seven hours. Sunday is his only day off.
Since turning 14, he has competed in around 13 tournaments a year — sometimes two in a single month. Balancing studies could have been overwhelming, but Dubai Gems Private School introduced the Rahhal programme to support his ambitions. With KHDA approval, the initiative allows him to pursue elite sport while keeping up academically. Study materials travel with him, enabling revision between matches and flights.
Learning from the best
Riyan has also drawn inspiration from elite players. At the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in India, he trained under top coaches and met Olympic hopeful Lakshya Sen. Back in Dubai, Denmark’s World No. 3 Anders Antonsen occasionally trains alongside him.
“He’s like a friend and mentor now,” Riyan said. “He tells me what to do when I’m playing, which tournaments to choose. It feels safe getting advice from someone who has already been at that level.”
Support has also come from the UAE Sports Talent Committee, the UAE elite sports programme and the UAE Badminton Federation, along with the academies and coaches who continue to refine different aspects of his game.
For now, the celebrations are brief. The focus remains firm. The dream is clear — and Los Angeles 2028 is firmly in sight.
