JENNIFER ENTERS WORLD TT RANKINGS IN STYLE

 

 

THE twin titles on her maiden international tournament helped Jennifer Varghese enter the world table tennis rankings in style.

Last Sunday, Nagpur’s Jennifer, representing India, claimed a gold in Under-15 and a silver in Under-17 age categories in the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender in girls singles events held at Salle Omnisport de Rades in Tunisia.

In the Under-15 girls singles final, Nagpur’s Jennifer defeated Belgium’s Lilou Massart 3-1 (11-8, 10-12, 13-11, 11-4) to bag the gold medal after picking up a silver in U-17 singles.

In the higher age group final, Jennifer finished second best going down to compatriot Sultana Saini 0-3 (8-11, 6-11, 4-11).

In the Under-15 age category, 13-year-old Jennifer claimed a creditable 20th position in the world rankings.

Similarly, in the Under-17 rankings, Jennifer sits pretty at the 65th position.

The medal winning performance helped Jennifer earn 295 points in the youth category.

With the second best finish in Under-17 age group, Jennifer earned 175 points while for winning the Under-15 crown, she collected 120 points.

Her creditable show in two events helped the Centre Point School, Katol Road student enter the Under-19 age group at 117th spot.

Jennifer returned to Nagpur on Wednesday evening. After spending a couple of days with family, the paddler will return back to Chennai for her training under coach R Rajesh.

The Under-15 champion was happy to be in the top 20 on her first attempt.

“I am extremely delighted that I could make it into the world TT rankings and I hope that I enter the top 10 rankings too,” Jennifer told ‘The Hitavada’ after she returned home.

“I shall strive to perform my best to reach the top ten in the coming year,” she added.