Neeraj, who had overcome CCA’s Krishna Ranganath 11-8, 12-10, 11-7 in his semifinal match earlier in the day, won 11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 in the final.

In the corresponding girls’ category, Gems’ Kushi V waged a tough battle with Medini R Bhat before winning 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 to bag the crown. Kushi has earlier overcome
Archana Kamat 11-13, 14-12, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the semifinals, while Medini posted a 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9 win over Disha Gupta en route to the final.

Results: Cadet: Boys, finals: Neeraj Raj (JTTA) bt Rohan Jamadagni (Hor) 11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6. (Semifinals): Neeraj bt Krishna Ranganath (CCA) 11-8, 12-10, 11-7; Rohan bt Sudeep G (Hor) 11-8, 11-7, 11-17. (Quarterfinals): Neeraj bt Daksh K Telang (BNM) 11-8, 11-5, 11-5; Krishna bt Preetham KN (OMTTI) 11-5, 11-9, 11-8; G Sudeep (Hor) bt Vishnu Pranav (CCA) 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7; Rohan bt Vivekanada (BNM) 6-11, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6.

Girls, final: Kushi V (Gems) bt Medini R Bhat (Hor) 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8. (Semifinals): Kushi bt Archana Kamat (CCA) 11-13, 14-12, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9; Medini bt Disha Gupta (BNM) 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9. (Quarterfinals): Kushi bt Sonali Simha (OMTTI) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4; Archana bt Kiran Sanjeeva (OMTTI) 11-4, 11-4, 11-8; Disha bt Gayathri Tankasali (MM) 11-9, 0-11, 11-7, 11-9; Medini bt Ambika V (HTTA) 11-4, 11-6, 11-9.