Neeraj, Kushi emerge junior champions

Neeraj Raj and Kushi V emerged champions in the boys’ and girls’ junior categories respectively in the 49th Canara Union State-ranking table tennis tournament here on Monday.

In the boys’ final, Neeraj thumped Krishna S 11-4, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9.

In the girls’ summit tie, Kushi overcame Yashaswini Ghorpade 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6 to bag the crown.

Earlier in the junior boys’ semifinals, Neeraj overcame a resilient Kaustabh Kulkarni 11-13, 11-5, 11-3, 11-13, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10 in a tough battle while Krishna got the better of Rohan Jamadagni 11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9.

Meanwhile in the girls’ last-four, Kushi had beaten Aditi P Joshi 11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 while Yashaswini struggled past Anarghya Manjunath  11-9, 7-11, 113, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8.

Results: Junior boys’ final: Neeraj Raj bt Krishna S 11-4, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9.

Semifinals: Neeraj Raj bt Kaustub Kulkarni 11-13, 11-5, 11-3, 11-13, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10; Krishna S bt
Rohan J 11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9.

Junior girls’: final: Kushi V bt Yashaswini Ghorpade 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6.
Semifinal: Kushi bt Aditi P Joshi 11-4, 11-7. 11-4, 11-2; Yashaswini bt Anarghya Manjunath 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8.