Amaira Dhumatker, Mohammed Umar, Advait Balakrishnan, Shivanjali Thite, and Shaheen C K each clinched double crowns at the Sunlite State Ranking Badminton Tournament 2024, concluding a highly competitive season for Goa’s young badminton talent. Organised by Sunlite Sports and Cultural Club and Shri Ashok Walke Charitable Trust in collaboration with the Goa Badminton Association and the Sports Authority of Goa, the tournament concluded at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji on wednesday.
In the Boys Singles U11 final, Michael Ryan Mare dominated Pratik P Naik Borkar with a commanding 21-9, 21-9 victory. Amaira Dhumatker emerged as the Girls Singles U11 champion, overcoming Kanika Pai Vernekar 21-11, 21-16. In the Boys Doubles U11, Pratik P Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari edged out Arha Sahakari and Vedh Lotliker in a thrilling three-set match, 21-16, 11-21, 21-19. Amaira Dhumatker paired with Ashbah Tahasildar to claim the Girls Doubles U11 title, defeating Aditi Dhargalkar and Kanika Pai Vernekar 21-10, 21-15.
Moving up to the U13 category, Mohammed Umar Shaikh took the Boys Singles title by defeating Michael Ryan Mare 21-13, 21-12. In the Girls Singles U13, Niharika Parwar displayed resilience, overcoming Pragya Audi in three sets, 13-21, 21-16, 21-19. Mohammed Umar Shaikh, teaming up with Viraditya Pai Kane, also won the Boys Doubles U13 title, besting Samarth Sakhalkar and Vishwa Parab with a decisive 21-16, 21-3. Astha Poudel and Pragya Audi clinched the Girls Doubles U13 title, defeating Avni Khyalia and Palak Ramnathkar 21-16, 21-17.
In the Boys Singles U17 final, Advait Balakrishnan prevailed over Rutav Kanabar with a 21-18, 21-15 win. Shivanjali Thite claimed the Girls Singles U17 crown in a hard-fought match against Sufiya Shaikh, coming back to win 20-22, 21-19, 21-17. Advait Balakrishnan, paired with Shaheen C K, captured the Boys Doubles U17 title, defeating Aloisius Rodrigues and Sanand Nair 21-9, 21-17. In the Girls Doubles U17, Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh defeated Minoshka Pereira and Saanvi Audi with scores of 21-15, 21-18. Finally, the Mixed Doubles U17 title went to Shaheen C K and Aarohi Coutoncar, who rallied to beat Advait Balakrishnan and Sufiya Shaikh in three sets, 11-21, 21-19, 21-16.
Dr. Amol Ashok Walke, founder of the Ashok Walke Charitable Trust, along with trustees Satish Shirodker and Shrikant Shirodker, GBA President Manoj Patil, Secretary Praveen Shenoy, and organising club members Rupchandra Humraskar (President), Arnaldo Rodrigues (Secretary), Bhushan Pai Vernekar (Treasurer), and Tournament Director Marina Albuquerque, were among the guests who graced the finals.
Finals (Results):
BS U11
Michael Ryan Mare (1), , def. Pratik P Naik Borkar, , 21-9 21-9 .
GS U11
Amaira Dhumatker (1), , def. Kanika Pai Vernekar, , 21-11 21-16 .
BD U11
Pratik P Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari (2), , def. Arha Sahakari and Vedh Lotliker, , 21-16 11-21 21-19 .
GD U11
Amaira Dhumatker and Ashbah Tahasildar (2), , def. Aditi Dhargalkar and Kanika Pai Vernekar, , 21-10 21-15 .
BS U13
Mohammed Umar Shaikh (1), , def. Michael Ryan Mare, , 21-13 21-12 .
GS U13
Niharika Parwar (1), , def. Pragya Audi, , 13-21 21-16 21-19.
BD U13
Mohammed Umar Shaikh and Viraditya Pai Kane (2), , def. Samarth Sakhalkar and Vishwa Parab, , 21-16 21-3 .
GD U13
Astha Poudel and Pragya Audi, , def. Avni Khyalia and Palak Ramnathkar (2), , 21-16 21-17 .
BS U17
Advait Balakrishnan (1), , def. Rutav Kanabar, , 21-18 21-15.
GS U17
Shivanjali Thite (1), , def. Sufiya Shaikh, , 20-22 21-19 21-17 .
BD U17
Advait Balakrishnan and Shaheen C K (2), , def. Aloisius Rodrigues and Sanand Nair, , 21-9 21-17 .
GD U17
Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh (5), , def. Minoshka Pereira and Saanvi Audi, , 21-15 21-18 .
XD U17
Shaheen C K and Aarohi Coutoncar, , def. Advait Balakrishnan and Sufiya Shaikh (2) 11-21 21-19 21-16 .
