A Year 8 pupil at Loughborough High School has won the U17 European title at the Austrian U17 Badminton Open 2026, propelling her European U17 ranking to 27th. This marks Mutiara's second international title outside the UK, following her victory at the U17 Slovenia International 2025, and solidifies her status as a rising star on the global badminton stage.
Path to Victory
Representing England, Mutiara faced three tightly contested three-set matches en route to the final. In the championship match, she secured the Women's Singles title in another three-set thriller, with a scoreline of 25-23, 19-21, 21-9. The tournament concluded a demanding three-month competition period for Mutiara, providing invaluable experience in managing fatigue, adapting between matches, maintaining mental composure, and performing under sustained pressure.
Player's Reflection
Reflecting on her achievement, Mutiara said: "After all the tough matches at the start, it was during the final match where I played my hardest opponent in the tournament. Both of us were chasing gold and I was locked in and in the zone. I played to the best of my ability, giving all my strength, knowing that the training I’ve been working towards has come to this. The phrases that were repeating in my mind were ‘don’t give up’ and ‘fight for every single point’."
School and National Support
Dr Fiona Miles, head of Loughborough High School, commented: "This is an outstanding achievement and clearly demonstrates Mutiara's talent for the sport. To claim the U17 title against strong players from across Europe is a remarkable accomplishment; one which pays testament both to her commitment to badminton and her drive to compete at professional level." Mutiara was also part of the school's Key Stage 3 badminton team that made history last year by winning two national competitions within a week, establishing them as one of the country's top school badminton teams.
Mutiara is supported by Badminton England as a transition athlete, training with the national programme two days a week. Her international tournament programme is fully funded by Badminton England, with coaching-team support helping her gain valuable preparation and experience as she progresses through the England pathway.
Future Prospects
Mutiara's success stems from her love of the sport and her ambition to compete at the highest level. Her latest win has further strengthened her resilience, teaching her how to stay calm under match pressure.
