State U19 Badminton Selection Tournament: Patel, Aluguvelli emerge champions
Mumbai, May 24
Yashwi Patel of Pune kept up her seed-bashing form, knocking out seventh seed Nishika Gokhe of Nagpur to wear the Girls crown in the State U-19 Badminton Selection Tournament, organised by GMBA and hosted by Willingdon SC.
Making comeback wins a habit, Yashwi rallied from a shaky start to collect herself, put up a strong showing and win the tie 11-21, 21-15, 2-12.
In the Boys U-19 title clash, top seed Arjun Aluguvelli of Mumbai Suburbs lived up to his billing, getting the better of Nagpur's 2nd seed 21-16, 21-18 with a composed, attacking display.
In the Boys Doubles final, the Thane pair of Arjun Birajdar and Aryan Birajdar dominated throughout to overcome Aayush Adey of Pune and Tanay Mehendale of Raigad 21-12, 21-14, while the Girls Doubles title was won by Sharayu Ranjane and Soyara Shelar of Pune, who survived a thrilling first game before defeating Pranjal Shinde of Raigad and Yashwi Patel of Pune 26-24, 21-8.
In the Mixed Doubles U19 final, Sanidhya Ekade of Thane and Yutika Chavan of Pune produced an impressive performance to beat the second-seeded Pune duo of Sayaji Shelar and Soyara Shelar 21-14, 21-11 and emerge champions.
BS U19
Arjun Aluguvelli (Mumbai Suburb) (1) beat Rutva Sajwan, (Nagpur) 21-16, 21-18.
GS U19
Yashwi Patel (Pune) beat Nishika Gokhe (Nagpur) (7) 11-21, 21-15, 21-12.
BD U19
Arjun Birajdar/Aryan Birajdar (Thane) beat Aayush Adey Pune/Tanay Mehendale (Raigad) 21-12, 21-14.
GD U19
Sharayu Ranjane/Soyara Shelar (Pune) beat Pranjal Shinde Raigad/Yashwi Patel (Pune) 26-24, 21-8.
XD U19
Sanidhya Ekade Thane/Yutika Chavan (Pune) beat Sayaji Shelar/Soyara Shelar (Pune) (2) - 21-14, 21-11.
BS U19
Arjun Aluguvelli (Mumbai Suburb) (1) beat Rutva Sajwan (Nagpur) 21-16, 21-18.
GS U19
Yashwi Patel (Pune) beat Nishika Gokhe (Nagpur) (7) 11-21, 21-15, 21-12.
BD U19
Arjun Birajdar/Aryan Birajdar (Thane) beat Aayush Adey Pune/Tanay Mehendale (Raigad) 21-12, 21-14.
GD U19
Sharayu Ranjane/Soyara Shelar (Pune) beat Pranjal Shinde Raigad/Yashwi Patel (Pune) 26-24, 21-8.
XD U19
Sanidhya Ekade Thane/Yutika Chavan (Pune) beat Sayaji Shelar/Soyara Shelar (Pune) (2) - 21-14, 21-11.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Really happy to see Pune and Thane kids doing so well. But I wish the tournament had more media coverage - such talents often go unnoticed until they make it big. Hope the authorities support these kids with proper training facilities and coaching. 💪
Great to see young badminton talent emerging from non-metro cities like Nagpur and Raigad too. Nishika Gokhe and Rutva Sajwan gave a tough fight - the future of Indian badminton looks bright! 🏸🌟
Exciting times for Maharashtra badminton. The Birajdar brothers dominating doubles is a great sign - we need more coordinated pairs like them at the national level. Yashwi Patel's comeback win is the highlight though - from a shaky start to championship material! 🎉
Kudos to all the players! But I'm slightly concerned about the multiple events where Yashwi Patel played singles and doubles on the same day. Hope the tournament scheduling didn't affect her doubles final after that grueling singles match. Player welfare should be priority. 🤔
What a tournament! Thrilled to see strong performances from Pune especially. The mixed doubles final was a masterclass - Sanidhya and Yutika completely outplayed the second seeds. More girls participation in badminton is exactly what we need! 👩🏸🌟
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