Tharun M of Telangana warded off a strong challenge from three-time National Champion Sourabh Varma to bag the gold medal in badminton at the 37th National Games Goa 2023 on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old came out with an attacking mindset to get the better of experienced shuttler from MP, Sourabh 21-15, 16-21, 21-15 in a gruelling one hour and 10-minute battle at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at Taleigao Plateau.
Tharun was byfar a better player in the first game with his attacks getting desired results. However, 30-year-old Sourabh came into his own in the second game as he engaged in challenging rallies maneuvering Tharun at will to set up an emphatic 16-21 comeback in the all-important final.
In the deciding game, Tharun raced to a 4-0 lead and maintained a stranglehold on the game despite Sourabh making an all-out attempt to turn the situation around with some breathtaking deception and intelligent strokes, before the P Gopichand Academy product won 21-15 to clinch the gold medal.
Speaking after the final, Tharun said: “I played to a plan. I won the first game, and continued attacking strategy till the end.”
Earlier in the mixed doubles final, Gouse Shaik and Pooja D of Andhra stunned top-seeds Navaneeth Bokka and Maneesha K of Telangana 21-8, 21-17 in 26 minutes.
National champion Anupama Upadhyaya brushed aside the challenge from Aditi Bhatt 21-13, 21-18 in 41 minutes.
The 18-year-old Haryana shuttler put up a polished display and dominated the proceedings, once again beating Aditi in the re-run of the result from last year’s Polish Open.
While Anupama stamped her authority on the match early on, Aditi continued to struggle like she did even in the semi-final against Meghana Reddy M.
Other results:
Shikha Gautam-Ashwini Bhat K beat Simran Singhi- Ritika Thaker 21-11, 21-18; Nithin HV-Pruthvi Roy K beat Hariharan Amsakarunan-Ruban Kumar 15-21, 21-18, 21-18.
