Top quality Badminton Action gets city talking

Lucknow: The Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta Memorial All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament witnessed an exciting weekend of action-packed matches, as players competed fiercely to qualify for the main rounds. Held across multiple venues in Lucknow—KD Singh Babu Stadium, Gomti Nagar’s Vijayant Khand Stadium, and the BBD Badminton Academy—the tournament saw Uttar Pradesh (UP) players putting up commendable performances in both the men's and mixed categories. The tournament was inaugurated by Prasar Bharati Chairman and President of the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association, Dr. Navneet Sehgal, with several distinguished guests in attendance.

Qualifying Matches: Uttar Pradesh’s Standout Performances

The qualifying matches showcased the rising badminton talent in Uttar Pradesh. Among the standout performers were Neer Nehwal, Siddhant, and Harshit Tomar, all of whom dominated their respective matches and advanced to the fourth round, scheduled for Monday. These players demonstrated skill, resilience, and determination, key traits that made them formidable opponents on the court.

In the mixed doubles category, Samridhi Singh of Uttar Pradesh, paired with Chandigarh’s Kevin, delivered a powerful performance, successfully advancing to the next stage of the tournament. Other prominent pairs from UP, such as Dev Maheshwari and Kavya Gandhi (Delhi), Mayuri Yadav and Avinash (Odisha), Simran Chaudhary and Akash (Haryana), as well as Amollika Singh and Kumar Yash, also made their way to the third round. Their impressive coordination and strategies set them apart from their competitors.

The Opening Ceremony

The tournament's inauguration was a grand affair, attended by key members of the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association, including Secretary Dr. Sudharma Singh, Vice President Arun Kakkar, Joint Secretary Rajesh Saxena, and Lucknow District Badminton Association Secretary Anil Dhyani. Dr. Navneet Sehgal emphasized the importance of such tournaments in identifying and nurturing young talent in the state, further encouraging badminton's growth in Uttar Pradesh.

Main Round Participants

As the qualifying rounds concluded, several players from Uttar Pradesh secured their positions in the main draw of the tournament. Notable among them were Rishank, Siddhant Salar, and Harshit Tomar, who all excelled in the men’s singles category. Rishank’s outstanding victory over Maharashtra's Siddharth Thakur, with a score of 15-10, 16-16, 15-8, demonstrated his dominance on the court. Meanwhile, Siddhant entered the main round without playing, benefiting from the absence of Karnataka's Mohit. Harshit Tomar also caused an upset by defeating Chandigarh's Dhruv Bansal, the 13th seed, in a thrilling match, clinching the win with a score of 15-13, 13-15, 17-15.

In the women’s singles category, Taranjit Kaur of Uttar Pradesh made an impressive entrance into the main draw after defeating Tamil Nadu’s Harni Raja 14-16, 15-2, 15-10. This victory highlighted Taranjit’s exceptional technique and determination, particularly after a close first set loss.

The men’s doubles saw Arsh Mohammad, alongside his partner Shankar Saraswat from Rajasthan, securing a place in the main round with a stellar performance. In mixed doubles, Arsh Mohammad and Pragati Parida (Odisha) also moved to the main draw, showcasing their synergy and tactical acumen on the court.

Main Draw Competitors from Uttar Pradesh

Several prominent players from Uttar Pradesh represented the state in the main draw at the BBD Badminton Academy. Key names include Amollika Singh, Mansi Singh, Sonali Singh, Chirag Seth, Tushar Gagneja, Tanisha Singh, and Samridhi Singh, who competed in their respective categories.

UP’s Siddharth Mishra and Ansh Vishal Gupta in the men’s singles, along with Simran Chaudhary and Sneha Singh in the women’s singles, secured wild card entries. In the doubles categories, Atul Kumar and Pradeep Kumar represented Uttar Pradesh in men’s doubles, Rama Singh and Sunita Singh in women’s doubles, and Shivam Verma and Sonali Singh in mixed doubles.

Thrilling Finals and Surprise Champions

The tournament’s finals delivered intense drama and unexpected results. In the women’s singles, Aditi Rao from Gujarat shocked the audience by defeating the top seed, Anmol Kharab, in a gripping three-set match. Aditi’s victory with a score of 21-6, 11-21, 21-12 earned her the title of champion. Despite losing the second set, Aditi made a brilliant comeback in the third set to claim the championship.

In the men’s singles final, Bharat Raghav of Haryana emerged victorious, defeating Rahul Bhardwaj of Air India in straight sets, 25-23, 21-10. The first set was closely contested, with both players fiercely battling for each point, but Bharat’s composure in crucial moments allowed him to secure the win.

The women’s doubles final saw the Karnataka duo of Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhatt claiming the title after defeating Pondicherry’s Kavi Priya and Maharashtra’s Simran Singhi 21-17, 21-16. Their flawless teamwork and precise shots made it difficult for their opponents to mount any serious challenge.

In the mixed doubles final, Uttarakhand’s Dhruv Rawat and Punjab’s Radhika Sharma were crowned champions after defeating Haryana’s Akshit Mahajan and Anadha Pai 21-6, 23-21. Dhruv and Radhika’s dominance in the first set laid the foundation for their victory, while a close second set ensured an edge-of-the-seat finish.

The men’s doubles final saw Tamil Nadu’s Santosh and RBI’s Shivam Sharma triumph in an epic three-set encounter against Karnataka’s Prakash Rajesh and Andhra Pradesh’s Gausha Saik. Santosh and Shivam overcame a tough second set loss to clinch the title with a score of 23-21, 17-21, 21-12.

Award Ceremony and Closing Remarks

The tournament concluded with a grand award ceremony, where Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, honored the winners. During his speech, he highlighted the legacy of Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta and praised his contributions to Indian badminton. He reiterated the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association's commitment to fostering talent and ensuring the state's continued success in the sport.

Several notable personalities, including Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association Chairman Viraj Sagar, President Dr. Navneet Sehgal, and special guest Pankaj Kumar, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, were present at the ceremony. Their collective encouragement and support for the players helped elevate the prestige of the tournament.

The Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta Memorial All India Senior Ranking Badminton Tournament not only celebrated the memory of a visionary leader in Indian sports but also brought forth some of the best badminton talent from across the country. With stellar performances from players in all categories and upsets that added to the tournament's excitement, it is clear that Uttar Pradesh is fostering a new generation of badminton stars. The tournament highlighted the dedication of players, the support of the association, and the growing enthusiasm for badminton in the state, setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in the future.