Varun Sahakari went down 8-15, 12-15 to Nhaithik T (Telangana) in Qualification Round 2, as Goa’s challenge continued to face stiff opposition on day two of the Yonex-Sunrise U-13 National Ranking Badminton Tournament being held at Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium at Navelim. Shourya Sinari too bowed out after a 15-7, 15-11 loss to Hadhi Hamdhan (Kerala), while Suven Sawant’s campaign ended with a 15-6, 15-10 defeat to Abraham Menezes (Karnataka). In girls’ doubles, the Goan pair of Yashika Koneru and Saachi Sinai Kenkre went down 15-2, 15-1 to Mullai P.J. and Subiksha S (Tamil Nadu), while Kanika Pai Vernekar and Ashbah Tahasildar fought hard before losing 12-15, 15-13, 15-7 to Mithra Kirubakaran and Harithra Vaithiyalingam (Tamil Nadu).
Nikesh Durbha (Andhra Pradesh), the top seed, continued his strong run with a 15-6, 15-9 win over Parasmay Rane (Maharashtra), while second seed Aaditya Guna (Karnataka) overcame Yuvraj Singh (Haryana) 15-12, 15-11. Fourth seed Mahidhar Reddy Chappidi (Andhra Pradesh) dominated Samar Bagaria (Haryana) 15-11, 15-4, and Arnav Prakash (Telangana) impressed with an 18-16, 15-8 victory over Asher Fernandes (Karnataka).
In the girls’ section, top seed Prisha Parmar (Gujarat) and second seed Hemashree (Karnataka) advanced comfortably. Goa’s top-ranked players will be in action as the main draw begins on May 15, with Michael Mare, Pratik Naik Borkar and Vedh Lotliker leading the boys’ challenge, while rising sensation Amaira Dhumatkar, last year’s National U-11 bronze medallist, will spearhead the girls’ squad alongside Kanika Pai Vernekar and Ashbah Tahasildar, setting the stage for an exciting phase ahead.
