Ghosh, Shamini crowned champs

PSPB’s Soumyajit Ghosh became the youngest men’s champion, defeating six-time champion Achanta Sharath Kamal in the final, while K Shamini powered past Poulami Ghatak to regain the women’s crown in the National table tennis championships here on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Ghosh edged out Kamal 3-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7  in the men’s summit clash while second seed Shamini defeated Poulami 14-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8 in the women’s title decider.

The men’s final saw a lot of rallies, but the top-seeded Ghosh kept his experienced rival in check.  After winning the fifth game, Ghosh was trailing 1-4 in the sixth. But Sharath made several unforced errors, paving the way for Ghosh’s recovery. From there, there was no looking back for the Siliguri player.

In the semifinals, Kamal beat Sanil Shetty 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2 while Ghosh knocked out defending champion Anthony Amalraj 12-10, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4.

Shamini was shaky to begin the final and was straightaway down 3-5.  However, once she caught up with Poulami at 8-8, she gained confidence to win the game 14-12. This really put her opponent down and despite returning and countering well Poulami was definitely pushed to the wall.

Yet the Kolkatan managed to take the third game and that was the only consolation for her.  Poulami had to overcome a gritty Neha Aggarwal 10-12, 12-10, 12-14, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 11-9 in the semifinal while Shamini was stretched by Ankita Das before she registered a 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3 victory in the second semifinal match.

Results: Men’s singles: Final: Soumyajit Ghosh (PSPB) bt Achanta Sharath Kamal (PSPB) 3-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7.

Semifinals: Sharath Kamal bt Sanil Shetty 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2; Soumyajit Ghosh bt Anthony Amal Raj 12-10, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4.

Doubles: Final: Sourav Chakraborty/ G Sathiyan (PSPB) bt Aman Balgu/ Noel Pinto (Rlys) 11-5, 11-5, 12-10.

Women’s singles: Final: K Shamini (PSPB) bt Poulami Ghatak (PSPB) 14-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8.

Semifinals: Poulami Ghatak bt Neha Aggarwal 10-12, 12-10, 12-14, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 11-9; K Shamini bt Ankita Das 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3.

Doubles: Final: K Spoorthy/ Nikhat Banu (AP) bt Madhurika Patkar/ Pooja Sahasrabudhe (PSPB) 14-12, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5.

Mixed doubles: Final: Utkarsh Gupta/ Manika Batra (Del) bt Harmeet Desai/ Frenaz Chipia (Guj) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6.