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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, DEC 2: India No 2 Nikhil Kanetkar, already a name to reckon with in international men’s badminton, achieved a humbler mark today. Ensured of a top 100 world ranking this year, Nikhil won his maiden state title by defeating the reluctant Vincent Lobo 15-10 15-8 in the men singles final of the Bristol Maharashtra State Senior Badminton Championships at Dadoji Konddeo Stadium, Thane, today evening.
Kanetkar said after the match, “It is pleasing to win my first state title. Nice way to end a terrific year.”
India No 2 Manjusha Kanwar had it easier in the women singles final, blanking young Trupti Murgunde 11-0 11-0 in 12 minutes. Trupti managed to win service just four times in the match, and only once in the second game. Manjusha took the court again for 18 minutes, teaming up with long-time partner Archana Deodhar for the women’s doubles title.
Kanetkar was the one feeling the pressure, expected as he was to win easily. After all, his opponent has given up competitive singles at the nationallevel. Kanetkar said, “I was under pressure, and chose to play a safe game. Under the circumstances, I think I played well.”
While he eschewed risks, flashes of Kanetkar’s powerful arsenal were on display. His leap smash, for one, has considerably improved. “Yes, that is due to the one-month stint at the Morten Forst Academy in Malaysia. I have been working on my speed and power.”
In contrast, Vincent Lobo threw caution to the winds, going for ambitious flicks and quick finishes. But he could not match Kanetkar’s superior dribbling at the net, and lost many points there. “I play only doubles these days. Fancy net play is never needed there,” said Lobo, who along with Jaseel Ismail of Kerala forms the country’s top-ranked doubles pair.
If Lobo stayed in the match for 48 minutes, it was a tribute to his improved backhand. Even Kanetkar was forced to express awe when Lobo’s flick to the back court caught him by surprise. The men and junior boys doubles were stiffly contested. Rohan Radhakrishnan andBhushan Paithankar, both first year commerce under-graduates, won the junior title in three games, while Mayur Tawde and Hemant Hardikar quelled the challenge of Leroy D’Sa and Bhushan Akut to claim the men’s doubles title.
RESULTS (ALL FINALS)
Men singles: Nikhil Kanetkar (Pune) bt Vincent Lobo (GM) 15-10 15-8.Men doubles: Mayur Tawde & Hemant Hardikar bt Bhushan Akut & Leroy D’Sa 15-13 4-15 15-5.
Junior boys doubles: Rohan Radhakrishnan & Bhushan Paithankar bt Kunal Vaswani & Sanket Shetty 3-15 15-11 15-10.
Women singles: Manjusha Kanwar (Pune) bt Trupti Murgunde (Pune) 11-0 11-0.
Women doubles: Manjusha Kanwar & Archana Deodhar (Pune) bt Sim Sim Salaria & Kranti Sane 15-2 15-0.
