Team Herald
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MORJIM: Snehal Bhole, Supriya Naik and Mangal Saraf emerged as champions at the inaugural She Paddle International Masters Women’s Table Tennis Tournament 2025, India’s first-ever international prize money event for veteran women.
Bhole powered past Moushami Chatterji to clinch the 40+ singles title, Naik defeated Trupti Machwe in the 50+ final, and Saraf showcased her class by toppling Masters World Champion Mantu Murmu to secure the 60+ crown. Joint third places went to Gayatri Mohan and Swati Jhube (40+), Neeta Vaishnav and Deepali Gotadke (50+), and Rita Jain and Neeru Mehta (60+).
In doubles, Bhole paired with Mohan to claim the title against Vaishnav and Gotadke, while Saraf/Rita Jain and Murmu/Chatterji shared third place. The team championship saw Saraf (captain), Sukanya, Gotadke and Laxmi edge out Murmu’s side, with teams led by Indu Sharma and Manisha Pradhan finishing semi-finalists.
Held from September 5-7, at Aralia Beach Resort, Morjim, the three-day event featured 50 players, including one from Romania, competing across singles, doubles and team formats in the 40+, 50+ and 60+ categories.
The tournament also witnessed the launch of Smash Her Story, a book chronicling the journeys of 32 Indian women national champions from 1940 to 2024. Co-creator Moonmoon Mukherjee said the book ‘gives long-overdue recognition to India’s women champions, honouring their legacy and inspiring future generations’.