AGENCIES, JAIPUR: Goa’s former State champion Sandhya Melasheemi created history, winning Triple Crown at the Yonex-Sunrise 44th Indian Masters National Badminton Championships 2019-20 at Jaipur, Rajasthan.
It is the first time a Goan player has gone on to win three titles at a National championship in badminton.
Sandhya bettered her performance from the last Nationals where she had won two silvers. Competing in three finals in the 35+ age group, Sandhya played exhilarating badminton to emerge winner in Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
In the women’s singles 35+, Sandhya, the top seed, stonewalled Shantala Kampapurmath seeded two 21-7, 21-5 to emerge victorious.
In the mixed doubles 35+, Sandhya along with her partner Varun Sharma had a comfortable outing against Manish Rawat and Mansi Kohli who they defeated with a 21-14, 21-14 score line. In Women’s doubles 35+, Sandhya and her partner Sangeetha Mari upset the top seeded pair of Yupu Boni and Shantala Kampapurmath 21-14 21-10, thereby sealing triple crown for the Margao girl.
Goa’s Dr Satish Kudchadkar fared well to reach quarters in men’s singles 70+ age group.
Those who reached Pre Quarters were Wilfred Jacques (Goa) in men’s Singles 45+, Parag Chauhan and Darwin Barreto (Goa) in men’s doubles 40+, Kamlesh Kanji (Goa) / Yania Taw in Mixed Doubles 40+, and Satish Kudchadkar / Murali M.D. in Men’s Doubles 70+.
Among other results, Leroy D’ Sa, Goa (Sangolda) origin player and 7 time National badminton champion who formed a glorious partnership with India legend Prakash Padukone in his heydays, won the men’s doubles 65+ title.
Leroy D’Sa / Shaukat Noormohammad, representing Maharashtra, defeated Hubert Miranda / Ashok Sharma 21-19, 21-12 to capture the title.
Leroy also won Silver in mixed doubles 65+ while his son, Nigel D’Sa won the men’s singles 35+ title with a 21-16, 21-16 win over Manish Rawat in the final.
Maria D’Sa, Leroy’s wife, won a silver partnering Leroy in mixed doubles 65+, and two bronze (singles & doubles) in women’s 65+ category.
Nigel won another medal in the form of bronze in men’s doubles 35+, thereby completing a good outing for the D’ Sa family.
