Team Herald

PANJIM: Shantesh won the double crown while Diljeet was crowned mens champion in the BPS Major ranking table tennis tournament held at BPS Club, Margao, recently.

The five packed days of table tennis saw some engrossing and engaging competitive table tennis. 

In the mini cadet girls finals, Leoma Fernandes took the title by beating Trisha Verlekar 11-9, 11-1, 11-9 while the cadet girls title was claimed by Simran Kudal with a well fought victory over Sneha Mesta 2-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-6. 

Shantesh Mapsekar won a straight victory over Aarav Aiyer to claim the cadet boys title with a 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 win.

Wesley Do Rosario won the junior boys crown by beating Varun Gangodkar 11-6, 11-5, 11-8. 

In tightly contested sub-junior girls final, Sanisha Shetye won the honours after a five-set thriller against Taniya Patil 12-10, 8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8. 

The sub-junior boys title clash saw, Shantesh Mapsekar get the better of NageshVerenkar 8-11, 2-10, 11-8, 13-11 to claim top honours. 

Taniya Patil came from a set behind to beat Aditi Chodankar 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 to walk away with the junior girls crown. 

In a cliff-hanger that went right down to the wire, Eleanor Do Rosario put it across Mallika Gogoi 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 14-12. 

The mens finals, DiljeetVelingkar out played Dheeraj Rai 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8. Aadvik Panandikar was adjudged the most promising player (boys) while Sunidhi Savoikar was declared the most promising player (girls).

Minister for Town and Country Planning Vijay Sardessai was the chief guest, also present were the Secretary GTTA Vishnu Kolwalker, Vice President of GTTA Santosh George, president of BPS Club Manguirish Kunde and treasurer of BPS Club Lenie Do Rosario. The speical invitees were Trevor Saldanha and former table tennis champion Laxman Talak. The award ceremony was hosted by Jerry D’Souza.