NAGPUR’S upcoming shuttler Raghav Niwarti showcased his fighting qualities as he rallied from a game down to stun top seed to wrest Under-11 boys singles title in the Yonex-Sunrise GH Raisoni Memorial Maharashtra (U-9, U-11 and U13) Sub-Junior State Badminton Championship that concluded at Arundhati Arun Badminton Academy in Besa on Monday. In the all important final, Raghav lost the first game 7-15 to top seed Pune’s Shaunak Kelkar. But the city youngster fought back to level the scores 1-1 taking the second game 15- 11. Raghav kept the momentum going to take the decider 15-10 to pocket title. Raghav also secured a silver in boys doubles U-11 event. He and partner Pradyumna Meshram went down fighting to the fourth seeds Ahilyanagar’s Keyur Mande and Swaroop Mande in three games 15-4, 12-15, 15-11.

 

Prizes were distributed by Dr Mrunalini Naik (Director, GH Raisoni Sports & Cultural Foundation), Hitesh Bhajane (Corporator), Arundhati Pantawane (former international player), Mangesh Kashikar (Sr Vice-President, MBA and Secretary, NDBA). Bhavna Agrey (Jt Secretary) Anant Apte (Secretary, Tournament & Events), Nikhil Rokde & Neha Gosavi (EC Members) Vinay Joshi (Tournament Referee) & Vishwas Deswandikar (Dy Referee) were present. OTHER RESULTS (All finals) BS U-9: Vivaan Burnwal (1), Pune bt Abhiraaj Pawar, Ratnagiri, 16-14, 15-6. GS U-9: Nirja Pawar (1), Sindhudurg bt Irra Kadam, Satara, 15-10, 15-5. GS U-11: Risha Kadian, Raigadbt Keyara Sakhare (1), Pune, 15- 8, 14-16, 15-12. GD U-11: KeyaraSakhare, Pune, and Khrisha Goyal (2), Palghar bt Anvi Kulkarni andKashvi Singh, Pune, 15-10, 11- 15, 15-6. BS U-13: ArhamBhandari, Thane bt Aadiraj Shetty (8), Greater Mumbai, 15- 8, 15-11. GS U-13: Divisha Singh(1), Pune bt Hazel Joshi, Mumbai Suburban, 15-8, 10-15, 15-10. BDU-13: Rudra Manohar, Palghar, and Saatvik Gupta, Pune bt Aadiraj Shetty, Greater Mumbai, and Ronit Jadhav (2), Palghar, 15-10, 15-10.