Neil Gollarkeri and Anarghya Manjunath emerged cadet boys’ and girls’ champion respectively in the Bangalore Urban District State-ranking table tennis tournament here at the Malleswaram Association on Saturday.
Neil, who endured a stiff challenge from Krishna Ranganath in the semifinals earlier in the day, was pushed to the limit by Dilip G in the title clash. After having won the first game, he faced a fine counter-attack from Dilip G in the second and third games which he lost.
However, he recovered in time, showing good nerves in the crucial fourth and fifth games to post a 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 victory.
Anarghya’s title triumph against Aditi Joshi was more routine affair, the former notching up a 11-4, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8 victory.
Results: Cadet boys, final: Neil Gollarkeri bt Dilip G 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9. (Semifinals): Neil Gollarkeri bt Krishna Ranganath 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 3-11, 11-6; Srujan Bharadwaj bt Krishna Ranganath 5-11, 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6.
Cadet girls, final: Anarghya Manjunath bt Aditi Joshi 11-4, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8. (Semifinals): Anarghya Manjunath bt Bhoomika Poojari 11-5, 11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3; Aditi Joshi bt Bhakti Mannurkar 12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6.