PANJIM: Goan Gunjal Chopdekar, brand ambassador of Geno Pharmaceuticals secured a gold medal for India in the under nine event at 10th Asian School Games, at Chinese Taipei, Friday.
Gunjal, a standard four student of Dr K B Hegdewar Primary School, Panjim defeated Jayasinghe Themugi Dilange of Sri Lanka in the final round as she remained unbeaten with seven victories and two draws.
The former bronze medallist at Commonwealth Chess Championship, Chennai also represented India at the World Youth Chess Championship, AL-Ain, UAE and Asian Youth Chess Championship, Uzbekistan. Gunjal has been trained by Sumuk Gaikawad.
In the under-11 event, Swera Braganca, also brand ambassador of Geno Pharmaceuticals and a student of Our Lady of Rosary High School won the silver medal, scoring 7.5 points in nine rounds, missing the gold by just half point.
With herrecent performances, Swera gained a whooping elo of 78 points. She had to wait in the last round to defeat tournament top seed Khuslen Tuya of Mongolia to clinch the medal.
Swera has been trained by IM Jayant Gokhale, Sumuk Gaikawad, Swapnil Hoble, Suhash Asnodkar and her brother Shane Braganca.
Vinay Tendulkar, President of Goa Chess Association has congratulated the players for their achievement and for bringing laurels to India and Goa. They will arrive in the State on Sunday, 6.30 a.m, at Dabolim airport.
