Resilient Akshay holds off Charan for Junior crown

Maithreyee surges past Arpitha in summit clash

Mahuntha came from behind to defeat Sports Authority of India’s VP Charan 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 in the boys’ final. Maithreyee dominated the girls’ final against Arpitha BS of SBMJC, winning 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9.

Mahuntha struggled initially as he lost the first two games to come under pressure. However, just when Charan was looking to run away with the match, Mahuntha got his act together to stay in the match.

Mahuntha was at his best in the third and fourth games, wrapping them up with ease.
The fifth game saw Charan fighting back strongly as both were tied 8-8 at one stage. But Mahuntha held his nerve in crucial points as he clinched the game 11-9. With his confidence high after doing the salvaging act, Mahuntha finished off the sixth game and match at 11-7.

Karthik CP won the youth boys’ final, defeating Naveen AR 11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9. Karthik CP of BNM triumphed in the final of the youth boys’ section, defeating Navneet AR in a hard-fought title clash.

Karthik started of well, winning the first game 11-9 but stumbled to lose the second 10-12. He fought back to take the third 11-6 before Navneeth levelled proceedings after winning the fourth 11-8. However, Karthik kept his nerves in the crucial fifth game, sealing victory after claiming it 11-4.


Results: Junior: Boys, final: Akshay Mahuntha (PTTA) bt VP Charan (SAI) 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7. Semifinals: Akshay Mahuntha (PTTA) bt Vedanth M Urs (HTTA) 8-11, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, 7-11, 13-11; VP Charan (SAI) bt Shreyal K Telang (IOC) 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 13-11.
Girls, final: Maitreyee Bailoor (BTTA, Belgaum) bt Arpitha BS (SBMJC) 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9.
Semifinals: Maitreyee Bailoor (BTTA) bt Ridhi Rohit (PTTA, Mysore) 11-13, 12-10, 11-2, 11-6, 11-2; Arpitha BS (SBMJC) bt Aishwarya R Bidri (SBMJC) 11-6, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10.
Youth: Boys, final: Karthik CP (BNM) bt Naveen AR (CB) 11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9.
Semifinals: Karthik CP (BNM) bt Shreyal K Telang (IOC) 12-10, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5; Navneeth AR (CB) bt Akshay Mahuntha (SAI) 11-9, 11-8, 11-7, 11-13, 5-11, 11-3.
Girls, semifinals: Aishwarya R Bidri (SBMJC) bt Ridhi Rohit 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7; Arpitha BS (SBMJC) bt Maithreyee Bailoor (BTTA, Belgaum) 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5.