Devika Sihag and M. Raghu clinched the titles in Women’s Singles and Men’s Singles, respectively, at the Senior Nationals Badminton (BAI)
Devika Sihag emerged as the National Champion In women’s singles at the Bangalore Senior Nationals, in its 86th edition, after defeating upcoming talent Shriyanshi Valishetty 21-15, 21-16 at the Karnataka Badminton Association courts.
Training at the Prakash Padukone Academy in Bangalore, the tall shuttler known for her reach and punch in her strokes, had scored some sterling wins this week, and continued her domination as she marched to the senior title on the back of her furious, attacking game. It ensures she will be a part of team events, and debut for India, in the coming season.
Also winning his first title was Karnataka’s M Raghu who had to stave off former National champ, Mithun Manjunath, rallying to a 14-21, 21-14, 24-22 victory. Raghu had to save three match points to deny his senior, and was aided greatly by the fast conditions in Bangalore.
The youngster who revels on quick courts, has strung together a fine run, upsetting top seed Sathish Kumar in the semi-finals. But defeating the wily and strokemaking Mithun was a different proposition. Still, he held his nerves and was clutch at the endgame to win in just under an hour picking his maiden national title.
In the men’s doubles, junior national champions Arsh Mohammad and Sanskar Saraswat impressed winning the senior title as well, adding to their trophy cabinet as they upset top seeds Naveen P and Lokesh V of Tamil Nadu, 12-21, 21-12, 19-21. Sanskar, whose father runs an academy in Jaipur, is proficient at both singles and doubles, and will soon need to decide on his future course.
Arsh, who hails from remote Banda in Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh, is the son of a formal suits tailor. His father Ashfaq loved the sport and encouraged his son to take up the sport despite his modest means. Arsh has always been keen on doubles, and the duo trains at Guwahati’s National Centre.
In mixed doubles, Ayush Agarwal and Shruti Mishra – a former women’s doubles national champ – bagged the crown while Arathi Sara Sunil and Varshini VS won the women’s doubles final. The talented Varshini pulled one back for Tamil Nadu and became one of the first from the state to land a senior national title.
The men’s singles final, provided the most fireworks as Raghu rallied from a set and 15-19 down in the final. He levelled at 19 with his aggressive forecourt game, but Mithun stayed stubborn. However Raghu saw off three match points showing good fighting spirit. However, a year after Anmol Kharb won the title and impressed internationally, it is now Sihag’s turn to put her wits on the global circuit. Her tall game is well equipped to crack a few surprises with the opportunities opening up.
Senior Nationals Badminton Results
Singles
Men: M. Raghu (Kar) bt Mithun Manjunath (Rly) 14-21, 21-14, 24-22
Women: Devika Sihag (Har) bt Shriyanshi Valishetty (TS) 21-15, 21-16
Doubles:
Men: Arsh Mohammad (UP) & Sanskar Saraswat (Raj) bt P. Naveen (TN) & V. Lokesh (TN) 21-12, 12-21, 21-19
Women: Arathi Sara Sunil (Ker) & V.S. Varshini (TN) bt Priya Devi Konjengbam (Mnp) & Shruti Mishra (UP) 21-18, 20-22, 21-17
Mixed doubles: Ayush Agarwal (UP) & Shruti Mishra (UP) bt Rohan Kapoor (Del) & G. Ruthvika Shivani (Pet) 21-17, 21-18
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