Sathiyan, Swastika emerge TT champs

Swastika Ghosh won the women’s singles title while G Sathiyan bagged his fourth men’s singles trophy on the concluding day of the RBI@90 51stInstitutional Table Tennis Championships at Panjab University.

Sathiyan, who previously won in 2014, 2016 and 2017, fought hard for this victory, clinching a thrilling 4-3 win. The final was a showcase of skills, with intense rallies, powerful attacking shots and precise placements. Despite some delays from Sathiyan’s usual tactics, the match was an exhilarating display, with both players missing match points. Sathiyan walked away with Rs 1.12 lakh prize money, while Manav earned Rs 46,000.

Swastika was in her element today, displaying a carefree approach in the final against Sreeja, the hosts’ best hope to disrupt the AAI women’s title ambitions and maximum ranking points. Although Swastika started poorly, she boldly countered Sreeja’s unconventional style and the use of pimpled rubber with crisp forehands. The RBI player couldn’t break Swastika’s defence and strong forehands, allowing her a one-handed grip on the trophy, and giving momentum. With renewed confidence, she dominated the final game to clinch her maiden major title, the Rs 1.12 lakh prize, and 120 crucial points. Sreeja earned half the prize money for her efforts.

In the men’s doubles final, Akash Pal and Ronit Bhanja of Railways triumphed over Sanil Shetty and Soumyajit Ghosh of PSPB 3-2 in a thrilling contest for the gold.

In the women’s doubles, Tanesha Kotecha and Jennifer Varghese from Maharashtra outplayed Oishiki Joardar and Swastika Ghosh in straight games.

In mixed doubles, Manush Shah partnered Diya Chitale to a 3-1 victory over Yashaswini Ghorpade and Harmeet Desai of PSPB.

RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar gave away the prizes to the medal winners.