New Delhi: Goa’s leading shuttlers, Nishant Shenai and Anjana Kumari, captured the Men’s and Women’s Singles crowns at the State Badminton Ranking Tournament 2025, organised by the Shuttlers Club and Morning Badminton Club under the aegis of the Goa Badminton Association and the Sports Authority of Goa.
In a thrilling men’s singles final at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, on Sunday, Nishant overcame Arjun Bhagat 21-18, 13-21, 21-10 to claim his maiden senior title. The former junior champion displayed exceptional focus and tactical maturity in the deciding game, bouncing back strongly after dropping the second. In the women’s singles final, Anjana Kumari produced a composed and attacking display to defeat top seed Sufiya Shaikh 21-19, 21-17 and secure a well-earned victory.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Nishant beat Devansh Sakpal 21-15, 21-7, while Arjun downed Soham Naik 21-8, 21-13. In the women’s draw, Anjana edged out Janhavi Mahale 21-18, 19-21, 21-10, and Sufiya battled past Shreya Mehta 21-14, 18-21, 21-10.
In the Women’s Doubles category, the pair of Janhavi Mahale and Minoshka Pereira lifted the title after defeating Ritika Chelluri and Riya Haldankar 23-21, 21-12 in a well-contested final. The runners-up had earlier beaten Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh 21-18, 21-18, while Janhavi and Minoshka upset top seeds Shreya Mehta and Yasmin Sayed 21-17, 4-21, 21-17.
The Mixed Doubles title went to Shaheen C.K. and Ritika Chelluri after their opponents, Aryaman Saraf and Sufiya Shaikh, were forced to concede due to Aryaman’s cramps sustained during the semi-finals. Earlier, Aryaman and Sufiya had rallied to defeat Mayank Raj and Yasmin Sayed 14-21, 21-19, 21-14, while Shaheen and Ritika advanced via walkover.
In the Men’s Doubles, brothers Arjun and Tejan Fallary were declared champions after Aryaman Saraf and Rudra Phadte were unable to play the final. The Fallary duo had earlier beaten Ayaan Shaikh and Mayank Raj 21-19, 21-12, while Aryaman and Rudra edged past Aswin Mannambalath and Shaheen C.K. 21-18, 16-21, 26-24.
The tournament, offering a total prize purse of ₹1.62 lakh, served as the third and final selection event to shortlist Goa’s team for the upcoming Senior Nationals.
