Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Ritika Chelluri stormed into three finals of the State Badminton Ranking Tournament for Sub Juniors and Juniors organised by Mapusa Shuttlers under the aegis of Goa Badminton Association at the badminton hall, Peddem sports complex, here, on Sunday.
Ritika outplayed Sufiya Shaikh 21-18, 21-18 in the U-19 girls singles semi-final, partnered with Shreya Mehta to edge Aarohi Coutoncar and Minoshka Pereira 17-21, 21-6, 21-18 in U-19 girls doubles and joined forces with Shaheen C K to dominate Arjun Bhagat and Aarohi 21-8, 21-14 in the mixed doubles semi-final.
In the U-13 category, Amaira Dhumatker and Avni Khyalia marched into both singles and doubles finals. Amaira bounced back to upset top seed Pragya Audi 21-23, 21-14, 21-11, while Avni knocked out third seed Komal Kothari 21-13, 21-13. The duo then combined to oust Aditi Dhargalkar and Kanika Pai Vernekar 21-9, 21-11 in the U-13 girls doubles.
Meanwhile, Vishwa Parab kept his double crown hopes alive, in a comfortable 21-6, 21-12 win over sixth seed Krithik Reddy in the U-13 boys singles semi-final, after already entering the boys doubles final with partner Samarth Sakhalkar. They outsmarted Daksh Kamat and Neil Punjani Bakshi 20-22, 21-15, 21-11, while Pratik Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari overcame Adharved Balakrishnan and Rian Soares 21-15, 21-14.
In U-19 boys singles, top seed Arjun Bhagat overpowered Shaheen C K 21-13, 21-13, and Advait Balakrishnan edged out fifth seed Vansh Khedkar 21-17, 14-21, 21-18 to set up a high-voltage final.
Advait also entered the U-19 boys doubles final alongside Owais Tahasildar with a hard-fought 24-22, 21-12 win over Karthikeyan N and Shaurya Naik.
Shaheen, partnering with Aswin Mannambalath, entered the same final by beating Soham Naik and Yousuf Shaikh 21-18, 21-9.
In U-19 girls doubles, Saanvi Audi and Synnovia D’Souza got past Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh 23-21, 21-11, ensuring a thrilling title clash awaits.