PANJIM: Dhreeraj Rai and Prutha Parrikar emerged champions of the Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias Table Tennis Championship in the men’s and ladies’ categories respectively at the Polygon Hall at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar, on Monday.
The finals of the men’s category could not have been more intense. Dhreeraj Rai won the Men’s title in a thrilling match against Wesley Do Rosario. With his friends cheering him on, Dhreeraj overpowered Wesley (11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9, 15-13) and won. Playing sublime table tennis, Prutha Parrikar lifted the ladies trophy as she took on Taniya Patil. With great perseverance Prutha powered through and defeated Taniya (11-1,11-4,8-11,10-12,12-10) to take home the ladies title.
Meanwhile, Shantesh Mapsekar and Taniya Patil swept the finals as they won in two categories.
Shantesh went face-to-face with Nagesh Verenkar for the U-16 sub junior boys title. Displaying superb table tennis techniques, Shantesh triumphed over Nagesh scoring 12-14, 12-10,11-6,11-6; While Taniya Patil took the U-16 sub junior girls title by defeating Sanisha Shetye (9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9).
Meanwhile, Wesley scored 11-7,17-15,11-7 win against Ruturaj to clinch the U-18 junior Boys title. In the finals of the U-18 junior girls category Taniya Patil took title beating Prutha Parrikar (8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7).
In the U-10 mini cadets girls category, twin sisters Galya and Leoma Fernandes battled it out for the ultimate title amidst the cheer of family and friends. Leoma edged over Galya with a score of 11-7, 11-8, 11-8. Whereas in the U-10 mini cadet boys category Akshan Lawande took on Aaron Farias. With family cheering Akshan on, he defeated Aaron (14-16, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7).
Earlier in the day, Anthony Gomes took home the veterans (Above 60) title by defeating Vishnu Kolvalcar scoring 13-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7. While Deepak Gopani beat Aaron Naik (8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-3) for the Veterans (Above 50) title and Noel Noronha triumphed over Amit Naik (11-9, 11-5, 11-6) and won in the Veterans (Above 40) category.
The awards were handed over to the winners by Yogesh V Nadkarni, president, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Rajesh Khaunte, secretary, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Vero Nunes, president of Goa Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Aakash Khaunte, sport committee chairman, Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Vishnu Kolvalcar, secretary, Goa Table Tennis Association, Deepak Gopani, veteran player and others.
The tournament received 313 entries across 13 categories.
