Sports

Ritika Chelluri Clinches Triple Crown at Goa State Badminton Ranking Tournament; Shaheen C K and Avni Khyalia Win Doubles Titles

Herald Team

Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

MAPUSA: Ritika Chelluri bagged a brilliant triple crown, while Shaheen C K and Avni Khyalia emerged double crown champions at the State Badminton Ranking Tournament for Sub Juniors and Juniors (U-13 & U-19) organised by Mapusa Shuttlers under the aegis of Goa Badminton Association (GBA) at the badminton hall, Peddem sports complex, here.

Ritika won the U-19 girls singles title with a commanding 21-15, 21-12 win over Aarohi Coutoncar, partnered with Shreya Mehta to beat Saanvi Audi and Synnovia D’Souza 21-14, 21-15 in the U-19 girls doubles final and paired with Shaheen C K to clinch the U-19 mixed doubles title outplaying Yousuf Shaikh and Sufiya Shaikh 23-21, 21-14.

Shaheen also claimed the U-19 boys doubles title with Aswin Mannambalath, outsmarting Advait Balakrishnan and Owais Tahasildar 21-14, 21-15.

In the U-13 girls category, Avni Khyalia impressed with a double crown. She beat Amaira Dhumatker 21-17, 21-14 in the singles final and then joined hands with Amaira to claim the U-13 girls doubles title with a 21-14, 21-14 win over Komal Kothari and Pragya Audi.

In U-13 boys singles, top seed Michael Mare overcame a stiff challenge from Vishwa Parab to win 21-16, 21-16. Vishwa, however, tasted success in the U-13 boys doubles, partnering with Samarth Sakhalkar to defeat Pratik Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari 21-7, 21-16.

In the U-19 boys singles final, top seed Arjun Bhagat displayed his dominance, beating Advait Balakrishnan 21-10, 21-11 to take the crown.

On the occasion, Mapusa Shuttlers felicitated Adv Tanaji Sawant, Ramnath Shetgaonkar and Sadanand Talaulikar, veterans players, in recognition of their long-standing contributions to badminton in the State.

Mapusa Municipal Council Vice Chairperson Prakash Bhivshet, GBA Secretary Praveen Shenoy, GBA Executive Committee member Naveed Tahasildar, Sports Authority of Goa coach Roy Ataide and Mapusa Shuttlers office bearers Kewal Sawant, Venkatesh Shenai and Aniket Shenai graced the prize distribution ceremony among others.

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