TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Tanisi Kirtani won a triple crown in the All-Goa Major Ranking Table Tennis Tournament, organized by the Rotary Club of Panaji, at the Indoor stadium, Campal.
Tanisi, who has been in prime form this season, won the cadet, sub-junior and junior girls singles event while emerging runners-up in ladies singles. In cadet girls, she beat Prutha Parrikar 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3. In sub-junior girls, the script was similar as she registered another 11-3, 11-2, 5-11, 11-7 four sets win over Komal Salgaokar to emerge triumphant.
The junior girls finals was a contrasting match with Roshni Gopani giving Tanisi a scare. The match went the full distance before Tasnisi prevailed in a hard fought 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 win. The ladies singles was a similar thrilling see saw battle with fortunes fluctuating every minute.
Tanisi who had a chance to win a unique quadruple however lost out to Vrushali Prasade, who won 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8 to clinch her maiden ladies singles title.
In the men section, Wesley Do Rosario (Fomento Resources) won the sub-junior boys singles title, defeating Siddhant Parekh in a gruelling 11-5, 4-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7 encounter. The junior boys singles was a repeat match between the same two players with Siddhant wining this one with a 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 16-14 score line.
Meanwhile, top seed Vaidik Srivastav cruised his way past Nagesh Verekar with a stright sets 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 win to emerge cadets boys champion while P Adarsh smashed his way to a 11-6, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7 win over Diljeet Velingker to emerge champion in mens singles.
In other finals matches, Sneha Rane beat Sanisha Shetye 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 to win the mini-cadet girls; Nagesh Verekar beat Shantesh Mhapsekar 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 to win the min-cadets boys; Ajit Ghantker beat Deepak Gopani 11-3, 11-8, 11-4 to win the Veterans(40-50 yrs) while Arun Naik beat Anand Naik 4-11, 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 to win the Veterans(50-60 yrs) title. Parth Rastogi emerged promising player of the tournament.
Sports Authority of Goa Executive Director Sandip Jacques was the chief guest on the occasion while GTTA President Vero Nunes alongwith rotarians immediate past president Saiprakash Raikar and coordinator Sunil Parekh graced the occasion amongst others.
The tournament was officiated by Ashok Mahambre (chief referee) who was assisted by Noel Estibeiro. Rotary Club President Dr Prasad Netravalkar welcomed while Gaurish Dhond proposed the vote of thanks.
