Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Mohammed Umar stole the show with a remarkable triple crown as the State Sub Junior Under 15 and Under 17 Badminton Ranking Tournament concluded at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium in Navelim.
Organised by Salcete Badminton Club under the aegis of the Goa Badminton Association and powered by Model Margao, an initiative of Yogiraj Digambar Kamat, the tournament witnessed several outstanding performances from Goa’s emerging badminton stars.
Umar began his title-winning run by defeating Michael Mare 15-13, 15-7 to claim the Under 15 boys’ singles crown. He then produced another brilliant display to upset top seed Sudhanva Udupa 7-15, 15-8, 15-10 in the Under 17 boys’ singles final. Completing his memorable campaign, Umar partnered Niharika Parwar to a 15-11, 15-10 victory over Ateendra Gaonkar and Palak Ramnathkar in the Under 15 mixed doubles final.
Pragya Audi completed a double crown after beating Niharika Parwar 15-10, 15-12 in the Under 15 girls’ singles final. She then teamed up with Saanvi Audi to defeat Isha Borkar and Jewel Abranches 15-13, 15-3 and lift the Under 17 girls’ doubles title.
Dimple Revankar also secured two titles. She fought back to overcome Niharika Parwar 11-15, 15-9, 15-13 in the Under 17 girls’ singles final before joining forces with Arnav Saraf to defeat Sparsh Kolwalkar and Sambhavi Bhardwaj 15-10, 14-16, 15-10 in the Under 17 mixed doubles final.
Arnav Saraf added another trophy by partnering Shane D’Souza to a 15-11, 15-12 victory over Karthikeyan N and Linesh Virnodkar in the Under 17 boys’ doubles final.
In other results, Aaryan Karpe and Ryllan D’Souza captured their maiden State Ranking title with a thrilling 12-15, 15-13, 16-14 win over Samarth Sakhalkar and Vishwa Parab in the Under 15 boys’ doubles final. Avni Khyalia and Palak Ramnathkar won the Under 15 girls’ doubles title after defeating Ashbah Tahasildar and Komal Kothari 15-11, 15-7.
Mohammed Umar and Pragya Audi were named the best players of the tournament during the closing ceremony, which was attended by PWD Minister and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Yogiraj Kamat and members of the organising committee.
