Team Goemkarponn
Mapusa: Ritika Chelluri delivered a sensational performance to claim a triple crown at the State Badminton Ranking Tournament for Sub-Juniors and Juniors (U13 & U19), organised by Mapusa Shuttlers under the aegis of the Goa Badminton Association at the Peddem Sports Complex. Ritika dominated the Girls U19 Singles final with a 21-15, 21-12 win over Aarohi Coutoncar. She then partnered with Shreya Mehta to clinch the Girls U19 Doubles title, defeating Saanvi Audi and Synnovia Dsouza 21-14, 21-15. Her third title came in the Mixed U19 Doubles, where she joined forces with Shaheen C K to edge past Yousuf Shaikh and Sufiya Shaikh 23-21, 21-14.
Shaheen C K also stood out, bagging a double crown. In addition to his Mixed Doubles triumph, he teamed up with Aswin Mannambalath to win the Boys U19 Doubles final against Advait Balakrishnan and Owais Tahasildar with a score of 21-14, 21-15. In the Girls U13 category, Avni Khyalia claimed a double crown as well. She defeated Amaira Dhumatker 21-17, 21-14 in the Singles final and later paired with Amaira to win the Girls U13 Doubles, beating Komal Kothari and Pragya Audi 21-14, 21-14.
Top seed Michael Ryan Mare claimed the Boys U13 Singles title after a well-fought 21-16, 21-16 win over Vishwa Parab. Vishwa, however, bounced back in the Boys U13 Doubles, partnering with Samarth Sakhalkar to defeat Pratik Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari 21-7, 21-16. In the Boys U19 Singles, top seed Arjun Bhagat was in imperious form, brushing aside Advait Balakrishnan 21-10, 21-11 to lift the title.
The tournament also featured a felicitation ceremony, where veteran players Adv. Tanaji Sawant, Ramnath Shetgaonkar, and Sadanand Talaulikar were honoured for their longstanding contribution to Goan badminton. The prize distribution ceremony was graced by dignitaries including Prakash Bhivshet, Vice Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Praveen Shenoy, Secretary of GBA, Naveed Tahasildar, GBA EC member, Roy Ataide, SAG Coach, and Mapusa Shuttlers office bearers Kewal Sawant, Venkatesh Shenai, and Aniket Shenai.
