Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: National gold medallist Lloyd Fernandes and promising sub junior Para paddler Rayansh Sawant emerged champions in their respective categories at the YMCA Table Tennis Tournament 2026, held at the Indoor Stadium, Campal.
Lloyd Fernandes, ranked No. 1 in India in Para wheelchair table tennis, produced a dominant performance in the Para Wheelchair final, defeating Stany D’Souza 3-0. Mahesh Pagala and Vishant Nagvekar finished as the semifinalists in the category.
In the Para Standing section, young Rayansh Sawant continued his impressive run by defeating Ritesh Vaigankar 3-0 in the final. Gopal Naik and Zulkas Beig secured semifinal finishes.
The Para competition witnessed participation from 15 wheelchair players and eight athletes in the standing category, highlighting the growing interest in inclusive table tennis in Goa. The event was organised by YMCA Panjim in association with the Goa Table Tennis Association and the Sports Authority of Goa.
The tournament also featured strong competition in the Veterans 40+ Doubles category. Sachin Soares and Venkatesh Burye delivered a commanding performance in the final, defeating former Goa state players Sandeep D’Mello and Suneet D’Mello 3-0 to secure the title.
The tournament provided a competitive platform for players across age groups and categories, while the Para events underlined the importance of creating greater opportunities for athletes with disabilities. The strong participation and performances at Campal further reflected the growing reach of table tennis across Goa.
