I’ve been playing badminton for over seven years, and from the moment I first picked up a racket, I knew it was something special. What started as a simple interest quickly grew into a passion that shaped who I am today. I hope to inspire kids to discover the joy of badminton and help spread the sport within their communities, so they can experience the same excitement and love for the game that I’ve found.

My name is Nikhil Peechara, and I have been playing badminton for the past five years. It’s a sport I really love, and I’ve spent a lot of time on the court learning different skills and strategies. Now, I want to use what I’ve learned to help other people get into the game and improve. I’m excited to introduce badminton to more people in the community and help anyone who wants to learn how to play. I really believe it’s a great way to stay active and have fun, and I can’t wait to share that with everyone.

Hi my name is Nathan Kankanala, and I’ve been playing badminton for about 6 years now. I started playing badminton in my backyard, just hitting around with my family, but over time it became something I truly enjoy doing. I hope I can bring that same passion along to the next generation. 

Hi, my name is Aarav Gupta. I have passionately been pursuing badminton for 3 years and I have grown a lot from my unique experiences. I have actively been playing tournaments across the nation and have also had loads of fun. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you and hope that you will have a great time with Rookie Rackets.

Hi, my name is Aarav Gupta. I have passionately been pursuing badminton for 3 years and I have grown a lot from my unique experiences. I have actively been playing tournaments across the nation and have also had loads of fun. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you and hope that you will have a great time with Rookie Rackets.

Adithya  Burisetty 

Founder & President 

     Aarav Gupta   

VP, Comms & Ops

A Green Hope High School student who is passionate about badminton wanted to make the sport more accessible in a community where most people don’t get the chance to try it. What began as one person’s effort has grown into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, built on the belief that everyone should have the option to pick up a racket and see how fun the sport can be. Our goal is to keep expanding that opportunity and make badminton something more people can actually experience.

Who we are

Hi, my name is Aarav Gupta. I have passionately been pursuing badminton for 3 years and I have grown a lot from my unique experiences. I have actively been playing tournaments across the nation and have also had loads of fun. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you and hope that you will have a great time with Rookie Rackets.

Aarav

  • 2025 DFW South Open Regional Championships Singles U15 Champion, Doubles U15 Runner Up

  • 2025 Chicago Midwest Open Regional Championships Doubles U15 3rd Place

  •  2025 US Junior Nationals Singles U15 Runner Up

  •  2025 Long Island Northeast Open Regional Championships Doubles U17 3rd Place

  •  2024 South Closed Regional Championships Singles U15 Champion, U15 Doubles Runner Up

  • 2025 Peak Sports South Open Local Championships Mixed Doubles U15 Champion, U17 Doubles and Singles Runner Up

  •  2023 Virginia Northeast Open Local Championships Singles U15 Runner Up, Mixed Doubles U15 3rd Place

  •  2023 TBTT South Open Local Championships Doubles U13 Champion 

     

Nathan

  • Northeast Open Local Championships U17 Singles 3rd, U17 Doubles Champion

  • Peak Sports Open Local Championship U19 3rd Place

Nikhil

  • 2025 Peak Sports Open Local Championship Doubles U17 Gold 

  • 2025 Peak sports open local championships Doubles U19 Gold

Adithya

  • 2023 Peak Sports South Open Local Championships Singles U15 3rd Place

  •  2023 Virginia Northeast Open Local Championships Singles U15 Runner Up, Doubles U15 3rd Place

  • 2024 Northeast Open Local Championships Singles U15 Runner Up, Doubles U15 Champion, Mixed Doubles U15 3rd Place

  • 2024 South Closed Regional Championships Singles U15 3rd Place, U15 Doubles Runner Up 

  • 2025 Peak Sports Open Local Championships U17 Doubles Champion

  • 2025 Peak Sports South Open Local Championship U17 Singles Runner Up

Tournaments Won

Coach Mark Chandler found his passion for badminton 15 years ago while learning from players in Chapel Hill and Durham and later training with Danish coaches. For the past four years, he has enjoyed coaching beginners of all ages, focusing on strong fundamentals and individual learning styles. Outside of badminton, he works as a psychiatrist and enjoys trips to the ocean.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Coach Hendry Winarto, born and raised in Surabaya, Indonesia, became a national badminton competitor at age 12 and later ranked #1 in the U-19 division. Instead of joining the Indonesian national team, he accepted a badminton coaching opportunity in Spain in 2006 and stayed for seven years. There, he coached the Spain National Team and led IES La Orden, working with athletes like Olympic champion Carolina Marín and Olympian Pablo Abián. 

 

 
 

Hendry Winarto

Head Coach at Peak Sports, NC

Mark C. Chandler, M.D.

Badminton Coach at Peak Sports, NC

Our Mentors 

              Nikhil Peechara

      VP, Tech & Social Media 

 

         

Nathan Kankanala 

Senior Coach 

Meet the Rookie Rackets Team

Social Media

Rookie Rackets

teamrookierackets@gmail.com

414-236-2382

Cary, North Carolina 27519