Team Herald
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MARGAO: Goa’s Dr Satish Kudchadkar capped up a memorable performance by winning silver in the men’s 70+ Singles along with the two bronze medals he had won earlier, at the Yonex-Sunrise All India Masters Ranking Badminton Tournament 2019 which concluded on August 30 at multipurpose stadium, Peddem.
The Goa contingent bagged a haul of two golds, two silvers and four bronze medals in all, in the championship organised by Goa Badminton Association under the aegis of Badminton Association of India.
“At the Veterans Nationals, I narrowly missed out to qualify for the World Masters in Poland and I worked harder this time to try and better my performance. Though I could not win gold, I played well throughout this tournament causing a couple of major upsets. I am delighted with the multiple medals won and the success achieved. There is no age bar to stop learning and improving. Playing and competing in the Masters tournaments against various players from other States has helped us all to improve our own skills. We have excellent facilities here in Goa now, compared to what we used to have in the past. Younger players should work hard and try to achieve success,” said a jubilant Kudchadkar after the final match while sharing a piece of advice to the youngsters.
Kudchadkar lost the 70+ singles final to Mizoram’s Zokima F 14-21, 7-21, but not before knocking out the top seed from the draw.
Among other prominent winners in the championship were former India International star and player of Goan origin, Leroy D’sa, who partnered Prakash Padukone in his heydays. Leroy won the Men’s 65+ doubles event along with his partner Shaukat Noor Mohammad. Former India Internationals Shrikant Bakshi and Navdeep Singh partnered to win Silver in Men’s 45+ doubles. Goans who emerged on the podium were Sandhya Melasheemi (Gold in Women’s 35+ Singles, 35+ doubles and Silver in 35+ Mixed doubles); Dr Satish Kudchadkar (Silver in 70+ singles and bronze in 60+ mixed doubles and 70+ doubles; Sicletica Rebello(bronze in 60+ mixed doubles); Sandip Kanji (bronze in 45+ singles); Amit Kakkar and Vishal Vernekar (Bronze in 35+ doubles).
