Team Herald
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PANJIM: Shantesh Mapsekar, Shaswat Mapsekar, Rutuj Sonawane, Yusuf Shaikh, Noel Noronha and Suresh Karapurkar starred in the combined age doubles events, in the 9th Late Ramacanta V.P. Dharwatkar Memorial Table Tennis Tournament organised by Panjim TT Club, at Dr SPM Stadium, Taleigao.
In below 35 year doubles, Shantesh, ranked India number two in cadets last season was in prime form and executed brilliant strokes to keep the opponent consistently on the back foot.
Ably supported by his elder brother Shaswat, the siblings played an attacking game as they registered a thumping 3-0 win over Pranav Naik / Sanisha Shetye to lift the title.
In the above 50 year section, Rutuj Sonawane and Yusuf Shaikh played out- of- their- skins to upset top seeds Noel Noronha and Selvyn Godinho 3 -0.
Noel, a former state champion, made amends by winning the 85 + combined doubles event along with his partner Suresh Karapurkar.
In the finals, Noel / Suresh notched up their third title win in succession putting it across the fighting pair of Anthony Gomes and Prutha Parrikar with a 3-1 margin. Following players won bronze: Below 35 years (Nathan Barua / Aaron Colaco & Rutuj Sonawane / Khushal Naik); Above 50 years (Amit Naik / Sachin Soares & Deepak Gopani / Prutha Parrikar) and Above 85 years (Deepak Gopani / Sagar Kulkarni & Ratnadeep Shivani / Sachin Soares).
