Ranavikar, Biniwale, Bodas claim a grand double each

Pune, Sep 3 (UNI) Shubhankar Ranavikar, Martand Biniwale and Ashlesha Bodas recorded a grand double each in the district ranking table tennis championship, which concluded here last night.

Biniwale and Bodas, who had earlier claimed a double each in the Le Meridien championship a fotrnight ago, kept up their winning ways and were the toast of the final day's proceeedings.

Binwale bagged the Youth Boys and Men's titles, while Bodas won the corresponding Youth Girls and Women's crown and in the process completed a double each.

Earlier Ranavikar, who had captured the Cadet Boys singles title yesterday, went on to pocket the Sub-Junior Boys singles title today and completed a fine double.

Biniwale, who had dropped the first two games rallied splendidly to get the better of Vivek Kolte in a thriller (9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4) to claim the Men's singles title. Earlier Biniwale had won the Youth Boys singles at the expense of Amish Karamchandani in straight games (11-5, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5).

Similarly, Ashlesha Bodas won the Youth Girls singles crown overcoming a stout resistence from Dipti Chaphekar (11-7, 11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 6-11, 11-5). Later, she went on to lift the Women's singles title by making short work of Dipti Chaphekar (11-4, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6).

Ranavikar had to wage a grim battle before downing a resolute Aniket Gulwani in a fully stretched struggle at 11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 10-12, 12-10, before pocketing the Sub-Junior Boys singles title. Earlier, the lad had won the Cadet Boys singles crown outwitting second seeded Shubhankar Ranade (11-4, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 15-13).

Ranavikar was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.

Air India Mumbai Sports Executive Suhas Dandekar was the guest of honour and gave away the prizes. Mr Dandekar also felicitated national and international paddlers of Sharada Sports Centre namely Aniket Koparkar, Ashlesha Bodas, Martand Biniwale, Sanmay Paranjape, Rounak Apte, Sruja Bhat and Mrs Smita Bodas, who is the manager of the Indian team.

The tournament was sponsored by Tech Mahindra while Apex Sports and Hollyhock Tours and Travels were the part sponsors.

UNI