PANJIM:Aap Ka Goa TT Team A scored a scintillating 3-2 win over Verekarz to clinch the prestigious 43rd Angley’s Cup Table Tennis Team championship, organised by Panjim Gymkhana, at Indoor stadium, Campal, on Saturday.
Abhishek Ravichandran, an outstation player from Tamil Nadu who is India’s no. 20 in mens, began with a bang for Verekarz, winning 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 against Goa’s top paddler Wesley do Rosario.
Arjun Ghosh, India’s no. 3 youth player, pulled one back form the winning team when he defeated Diljeet Velingkar 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 in a tense match.
Kartik Iyer won the third rubber to give Aap ka Goa a 2-1 lead after another equally tough battle against the Young Cadets top seed Nagesh Verekar who won 19-17, 7-11,11-9,11-4.
The fourth rubber was the top billed match between the two outstation players which lived up to expectations, stretching the whole distance.
For the spectators, it was a treat to watch as the two players battled hard with contrasting styles, Arjun attacking with consistent top spins while Abhishek, with his defensive style, retrieving every point.
In the end it was Abhishek, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, who prevailed in a thrilling 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4 five set win to restore parity for Verekarz.
With the finals delicately placed at 2 – 2 , Goa’s top paddler Wesley Do Rosario was at his prime best as he wrapped up the title in style for Aap Ka Goa with an easy 3-0 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 win over Goa’s former State champion Diljeet Velingkar.
Aap Ka Goa were represented by Wesley Do Rosario, Kartik Iyer, Ozric Dias and Arjun Ghosh while Diljeet Velingkar, Nagesh Verekar, Yash Naik and Abhishek Ravichandran represented the Verenkarz.
Kishore Angle was the Chief Guest for the function and distributed the prizes to the winners and runners-up.
President of Panjim Gymkhana Manoj Caculo, Treasurer of Panjim Gymkhana Suresh Karapurkar, Sanjay Pednekar, Atish Angle, Vero Nunes, President of GTTA Chaitan Tarkar, President of GVTTA Vishnu Kolwalkar, Secretary GTTA, Ajit Ghantker were also present.
