Bhubaneswar: Fifteen-year-old Ayush Pattanaik never imagined a single tournament would turn his life upside down.
The Mayurbhanj teen won in three categories, including the senior single's tournament, that concluded at the State Badminton Championship at the SAI Regional Badminton Academy on Tuesday.
Pattanaik's prowess on the court was not only deceptive for junior categories, but also proved difficult for senior players to handle. "I have been taking part in the junior categories for the past three years. This year I decided to also take part in the senior level. It was a wonderful feeling to bag the title in my maiden appearance," he said.
Pattanaik also won the Under-19 and Under-17 singles' category besides finishing in the second place in the Under-19 doubles' event.
Around 350 shuttlers, including those from districts such as Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Balangir and Angul, took part in various junior and senior categories at the tournament.
Pattanaik, who moved to Hyderabad a year ago for better training, said his aim was to join the badminton academy of Pullela Gopichand, the breeding ground for India's ace shuttlers such as Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu.
"My game improved significantly after I moved to Hyderabad. My next aim is to represent India and bring laurels to my state."
Pattanaik's father, however, said it had been difficult for his family to meet his expenses. "It is an expensive game and I have been spending around Rs 30,000 a month for his coaching and expenses. I can only wish for sponsorships to help him to train better," said Amiya Pattanaik, a section officer at the Mayurbhanj collectorate.
Badminton has emerged as a popular game in the state with several indoor halls being constructed in Bhubaneswar to compliment the ones at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and Utkal University. Keeping an eye on the popularity of the game, SAI launched a regional academy in May last year.