Hopkinton brothers Arnav (left) and Virat Satish are among the top players in the country in their age groups.

From a young age, Arnav and Virat Satish have been encouraged by their parents to be active and participate in sports. So when their father, Satish Donga, had them try badminton, one of the sports he plays, he was not surprised to see them excel.

“I wanted them to play any racket sport or anything that can keep them active,” the father said. “But Boston Badminton club was close by, and I play there, so I started taking them in the mornings and introducing them to the sport.”

Donga said he saw signs that his sons might take to the game. When his younger son, Virat, was just 2 years old, he already could swing a table tennis racket with a smooth, natural motion.

“I felt they could be good at any racket sport,” Donga said.

This year, Arnav, 12, has been selected to represent the United States in the U-13 category at an international badminton tournament in July that will be held in Guatemala. Meanwhile, Virat, 10, is ranked as the No. 1 badminton player in the United States in the U-11 category.

Arnav said he enjoys taking part in open regional championships (ORCs), of which there are several around the country each year. The events have taken him to places like California, Illinios and Texas, he said.

“It’s fun playing against different people,” Arnav said, adding that he is proud to have the chance to play for Team USA in Guatemala this summer.

Virat similarly said he likes having the chance to test his skills against different players.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

While badminton is enjoyable for both brothers, it’s also hard work. The two spend about 30 hours or more per week training. Arnav said that most mornings for him start with a run and then jumping rope to improve his fitness. Virat said it is not uncommon for him to spend 35 hours playing in a single week. Their mother, Madhavi Parimi, constantly helps them strive to improve through encouraging them to do their workouts, have strong nutritional habits and hone their skills.

“She is the backbone,” her husband said.

The boys spend time training at HelloBirdie Badminton in Marlborough under the tutelage of Eva Lee Waller, a two-time Olympian, and Nick Waller, a former U.S. badminton team member. Both coaches have achieved goals that the brothers hope to match someday. Virat said that he wants to compete in the Olympics. Arnav also said he would like to play internationally, and he will get his first chance this summer. His father said the chance to compete against athletes from another country is causing his son to up his game.

“He feels that he has something to push to, and I think he is working hard for that,” Donga said. “I can see the difference in the way he is training now.”