Ritika-Simran claims silver

 

 

 

 

 

RITIKA Thaker and Simran Singhi had to settle for a silver medal in the women’s doubles in the Senior National Badminton Championships that concluded in Guwahati on Sunday. In thrilling three games that lasted one hour and 11 minutes, the Maharashtra pair went down 21-11, 14-21, 18-21 to Shruti Mishra and Priya Devi. Starting the final on a positive note, Ritika-Simran wrapped up the first game quite easily. They went down in the second game as the opponents levelled the scores 1-1. In the decider, Ritika-Simran were behind 2-8 at one stage but from there on they took eight consecutive point to lead 11-8 at the interval. The duo was always in the lead till 16-13 but then the rivals caught up to wrap up the decider.

 

After the match, Ritika conceded it was a bad day and that she developed a niggle in her elbow in the interval of the decider and needed medical attention. Further elaborating, she said that the niggle was not an excuse but did affect her stroke play and the opponents played well. Ritika-Simran thanked their parents, coaches at Suchitra Academy Pradeep Raju, Ajay Dayal at Ajay Dayal Badminton Academy, Mayur Ghatnekar for his guidance and all the hard work the coaches have put in. They also has thanked Arun Lakhani, Mangesh Kashikar, MBA, NDBA and Viren Thakker for the support.