NT Reporter
Navelim
Goa’s rising stars Amaira Dhumatkar, Samarth Sakhalkar, and Vishwa Parab made a confident start on the opening day of the Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub Junior (U-13) Ranking Badminton Tournament, at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium in Navelim.
Amaira Dhumatkar turned heads in the Girls U-13 Singles with a composed 15-7, 15-12 win over Telangana’s Sreshta Kalva.
In the Boys U-13 Singles, Vishwa Parab made quick work of Maharashtra’s Adarsh Gore, cruising to a 15-12, 15-2 victory, while Samarth Sakhalkar survived a three-game thriller to edge out Karnataka’s Akshaj Gatty 15-12, 7-15, 15-13 in Round 2. Daksh Kamat also progressed, courtesy of a walkover from Samar Sankar Lal (KTK).
However, it was a mixed bag for other Goan hopefuls. Despite showing grit, Krithik Reddy S and Varun Sahakari fell narrowly in tightly contested matches. The likes of Pratik Naik Borkar, Rushank Kulkarni, Vihaan Sahakari, and Saksham Mhapuskar also bowed out in early rounds after spirited efforts. In the girls’ draw, Aditi Dhargalkar put up a brave fight before going down to Karnataka’s Akshara V, while Komal Kothari and Ashbah Tahasildar lost to Anisha Pinge (MAH) and Deechum Likha (ANP), respectively.
Among the seeded national entrants, second seed Kyon Tamin (ANP) looked sharp with a 15-5, 15-9 win over Krishna Tejas Pandravada (KTK). Third seed Jatin Saraf (MAH) held his nerve in a tight first game to overcome Shreyansh Dahiya (HAR) 16-14, 15-7. Fourth seed Kian Yadav (RAJ) was clinical in dispatching Diyan Parekh (MAH) 15-6, 15-9.
The day’s biggest upset came courtesy of Maharashtra’s Khush Dixit, who stunned fifth seed Hiten (DLI) 15-12, 15-11 in straight games.
