As the tournament reached its penultimate day, Goa’s veteran badminton players continued to make their mark, securing spots in the semifinals across multiple categories at the 47th Indian Masters (Veteran) National Badminton Championships 2024-25 at Peddem, Goa.
Dr Manju Khandeparker (WS 60+) put up a strong performance to defeat Alka Batra (Rajasthan) 21-14, 21-15, advancing to the final four. In WD 60+, Manju Khandeparker, partnering with Sukesha Saggi (UP), battled past Surekha Satam & Jyothi Somaiah (Maharashtra/Karnataka) 21-16, 16-21, 21-19 in a thrilling contest. Goa’s Pradeep Dhond & Tanaji Sawant (MD 70+) also stormed into the semi-finals, registering a 21-14, 21-17 win over Arun Kakkar & Anil Mehrotra (Uttar Pradesh).
The XD 75+ pair of Dr Satish Kudchadkar & V. Gudipudi (Goa/Maharashtra) however went down fighting in the Quarter finals in a 16-21, 21-15, 23-21 lost to Muthuramalingam N.& Shaila Sardesai (Tamil Nadu/Maharashtra).
In quarter-finals matches featuring other prominent India ranked players, top seed Ram Lakhan (PNB) [1] remained dominant, cruising past Mukesh Kumar Singh (Bihar) 21-13, 21-11 in MS 60+. In MS 55+, Rajeev Sharma (CAG) [1] maintained his strong form with a 21-12, 21-13 victory over Alok Kumar Joseph (Madhya Pradesh), while MS 75+ top seed Yogendra Kumar Jaiswal (Uttar Pradesh) [1] made light work of Rakesh Sharma (Rajasthan) 21-9, 21-4. Second-seeded Anupam Kumaria (PNB) [2] secured a 21-12, 21-14 win against Pokkavil Gopinatha Mohan (Kerala) in MS 65+.
In the women’s section quarters, top-seeded Manjusha Sahasrabuddhe (Maharashtra) [1] displayed her class with a dominant 21-5, 21-10 victory over Elza Tomy (Karnataka) in WS 60+. The WD 60+ top-seeded duo of Manik Paranjpe & Manjusha Sahasrabuddhe (Maharashtra) [1] also advanced comfortably, defeating Lali Joseph & Shirly Tharakan (Kerala) 21-15, 21-5. In doubles quarters, top-seeded Ram Lakhan & Harjit Singh (PNB/Delhi) [1] overcame Nimai Singh Toijam & Amusana (Manipur) 21-15, 21-18 in MD 60+, while Bijoy Barman & Rajeev Sharma (Assam/CAG) [2] secured a 21-17, 21-16 win in MD 55+ against Rajesh D’Souza & Balakrishna (Maharashtra).
With the semi-finals scheduled for Sunday morning (March 23), and the finals set to take place from 1 PM onwards, an exciting culmination awaits as India’s best veteran shuttlers battle for glory in their respective categories.
