PANAJI
Parag Chauhan and Kamlesh Kanji led Goa’s charge with a spirited performance in Men’s Doubles 45, registering a hard-fought quarterfinal win over Kishor Kumar K. and R. Sheshu Narayanan (TS) 12-21, 21-16, 21-10 to storm into the semifinals at the Yonex-Sunrise 48th Indian Masters (Veteran) National Badminton Championships, powered by Raisoni Foundation, being held at Navelim, Goa.
Close on their heels, former State champion and international medalist Sandhya Melasheemi continued her impressive run, advancing to the semifinals of Women’s Singles 40 with a well-earned 21-19, 21-14 victory over Lalduhzuali (MIZ), after earlier overcoming Amrita Mukherjee (WB).
She also progressed to the quarterfinals in Women’s Doubles 40, partnering Radhika Madhur Ingalhalikar (MAH), with a convincing win over Nima Lekshmy K.K. (KER) and Laxmi Ningaiah (KTK). In Men’s Doubles 50 Round of 16, Sandeep Fowker and Kapil Kanji added to Goa’s strong showing with a gritty three-game victory against Prasanna Venkatesh A. and Ajit Samuel (TN) 21-13, 18-21, 21-14.
Among the top Indian performers, top seed Sahil Katlariya (PNB) advanced to the quarterfinals in MS 35 with ease, while Swati Sharma (UTR) and Noopur Barve (MAH) progressed to the semifinals in WS 35. In MS 40, Harshad Bhagwat (MAH) moved into the semifinals, while in the 45+ category, top seed Arup Baidya (WB) advanced comfortably. In MS 50, India international Jaison Xavier (KER) and Nilesh Phansalkar (MAH) continued their strong run, progressing to the semifinals.
