Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Unnati Hooda’s Footwork Draws Criticism Despite Asian Games Run
Unnati Hooda is an Indian badminton player whose way of moving around the court has attracted criticism online.
At the Asian Games, she reached the quarterfinals and played three matches in 18 hours.
She beat Putri Kusuma Wardani and gave Akane Yamaguchi a difficult match.
Former player Aparna Popat says players do not all have to move in exactly the same way.
Unnati’s coach and support team agree that some small changes could help her.
They are working on her strength, endurance, footwork and recovery between shots.
Her team says she is improving, but still has areas to develop.
Unnati is continuing her own training path with Los Angeles 2028 as a long-term target.
Unnati Hooda reached the Asian Games quarterfinals despite being outside the badminton Top 20.
She played three matches within 18 hours, defeated Putri Kusuma Wardani and challenged Akane Yamaguchi.
Former international Aparna Popat argues there is no single correct way to move on court if unusual footwork is not harming performance.
Coach Gurusaidutt and Popat see scope for modest footwork adjustments, while her team says online criticism has overstated the problem.
Her training addresses endurance, strength, multidirectional movement and lunges, with the long-term goal of Los Angeles 2028.
- Who
- Indian badminton player Unnati Hooda, her coach Gurusaidutt, former international Aparna Popat and her training team.
- What
- Hooda’s much-discussed footwork and the training intended to improve her movement, fitness and recovery.
- When
- Her Asian Games performances and training developments described in the article; no publication date is stated.
- Where
- At the Asian Games and in training based in Rohtak, India.
- Why
- Her unusual movement has drawn criticism, while her team is working on areas including strength, endurance and recovery.
Critics of her footwork
Her coaches and supporters
Whether her movement is a problem
Critics of her footwork
Criticism of Hooda’s footwork reflects real inefficiencies, including lateral movement and her approach to the net.
Her coaches and supporters
Popat says there is no single textbook way to move, and asks whether the style is actually hindering Hooda or risking injury; her performances suggest the criticism has been overstated.
Need for changes
Critics of her footwork
Her movement and fitness still need improvement, and her feet do not always keep pace with her hand speed.
Her coaches and supporters
Her team is already addressing specific issues gradually, while emphasizing that she is on the right track and has shown grit and resilience.
- Asian Games result
- Reached the quarterfinals while outside the Top 20.
- Match schedule
- Played three matches within 18 hours.
- Notable opponents
- Beat Putri Kusuma Wardani and faced Akane Yamaguchi.
- Suggested adjustments
- Gurusaidutt and Aparna Popat said 10–15 per cent tweaks could make her movement easier.
- Training focus
- Strength, endurance, multidirectional drills, lunges, and recovery between shots.
- Long-term target
- Los Angeles 2028.
- Support in Rohtak
- Strength and conditioning coach Atish More and physiotherapist Shruti Gharat are based there.