Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The opening day of the Late Manohar Sawkar State Table Tennis Championship 2025 delivered an impressive showcase of talent as the top contenders in the U11 boys category booked their places in the semi finals. The event, staged at the Multipurpose Stadium in Fatorda, marked a strong start with commanding performances from the highest ranked players.
Top seed Ishaan Colaso set the tone early with two clinical wins that underlined his dominance. He began his campaign by defeating Shiv Chopdekar 3-0 and followed it up with another assured 3-0 result against Aveer Shah in the quarterfinals. His consistent rhythm and attacking play ensured he moved into the last four without dropping a set.
Fifth seed Shreysht Rane also produced one of the most engaging runs of the day. He opened with a confident 3-0 victory over Ronan Menezes Gama, showcasing steady control in crucial rallies. In the quarterfinals, he delivered the biggest upset of the round by edging past fourth seed Kedar Nair in a tight 3-2 contest. The match displayed strong determination from Shreysht, who recovered under pressure to seal his semifinal berth.
Third seed Aarish Shaikh displayed complete command from the outset. He swept aside Vivaan Salgaonkar 3-0 in his first match and continued his momentum with another dominant 3-0 win over Kavin Hasija in the quarterfinals. His precision and tempo left little opportunity for his opponents to find a foothold.
Second seed Ashank Dalvi matched the form of his fellow top seeds with two composed performances. He progressed smoothly with a 3-0 win against Kris Silveira in the Round of 16 and maintained the same control to defeat Prem Chopdekar 3-0 in the quarterfinals, securing his spot among the final four contenders.
The opening day also saw the exits of Kabir Dixit, Ved Sanvordekar, Vardhan Verlekar and Rayansh Sawant, who were unable to advance beyond the Round of 16. The semifinal lineup now promises high intensity matchups as the tournament moves forward.
