Aditya Yaul and Aarav Thakre both from Nagpur stormed into the finals of the Maharashtra Under-11 and Under-13 State Selection Tournament at Club One in Virar, Palghar.

While Yaul made it to the U-11 singles final, Thakre, a student of MKH Sancheti School, Besa, made it to the summit clash of the U-13 age group. Yaul, who is current U-11 State champion reached his second consecutively final.

In the semis, Yaul defeated Palghar’s Pragnay Shinde 21-12, 21-10.

Aditya is getting training from Amit Raut at Indoor Stadium, Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur. He is student of Bhavan’s, Koradi Branch. In the other semi-final, Thakre, who is coached by Ajay Dayal at Ajay Dayal Badminton Academy, defeated Pune’s Raghvendra Yadav in two straight games.

Thakre took the first game easily 21-11 and then dominated the second game too with a 21-10 win in 23 minutes.

In the doubles category, Thakre, partnering Sairaj Nayse lost the semi-final to the pair of Archit Vyas and Arham Redasani 18-21, 13-21.

In the Under-13 singles semis, Nayse lost against Arham Redesani of Pune 15-21, 14-21.

Despite getting injured in the second game, Nayse fought hard till the end but couldn’t turn the match in his favour.

He is coached by Kunal Dasarwar at Dasarwar Badminton Academy.