PANJIM: Champs edged out Mayur’s Spartan’s 3-2 to lift the inaugural edition of the Bambolim Beach Resort Cup 2022, the State Team championship, held at Indoor Stadium, Campal. Anshuman Agarwal and Pradnya Caro starred for the winners in the title match which went down to the wire.
Spartan’s started on a bright note with their Junior player Swayam Chodankar prevailing over emerging youngster Chandan Caro in a tense 3-1 score line. Anshuman thereafter restored parity for Champs with a fine display of aggression and consistency. The young paddler who has been selected under the Khelo India scholarship recorded a crushing 3-0 win over Dheeraj Rai in men’s singles to make it 1-1. Pradnya thereafter stole the show in ladies singles to swing the momentum in favour of Champs with a 3-0 demolition of Kiara Soares. However, Yusuf Shaikh and Mayur Sawkar brought the Spartan’s team back into contention with a 3-1 win in veteran’s doubles over Oliver and Rohit. With the finals evenly poised at 2-2, Anshuman and Pradnya stepped up in mixed doubles to smash their way to a facile 3-0 win, thereby securing a 3-2 win for Champs.
The battle for the 3rd and 4th places was a similar edge-of-the-seat thriller with Diya Enterprises registering a pulsating 3-2 win over Estilo Legends.
Champs were richer by Rs 25000, followed by Rs 20000, Rs 12000 and Rs 8000 for runners up, 3rd and 4th place teams, besides a haul of medals and trophies.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Fernandes, who won silver-medal at Para Table Tennis Nationals was felicitated on the occasion.