PANAJI
The year 2023 has been a relatively good year for Goan sports. Even though there were some disappointments in cricket especially in Ranji Trophy, Goan sportspersons excelled in other disciplines such as badminton, chess, football, modern pentathlon, pencak silat, swimming, squash, sqay martial arts, taekwondo and yachting at the national and international level.
It was also the year when the state hosted some big-ticket sporting events such as National Games, WTT Star Contender, Ironman 70.3, Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Goa Challenge and Indian Super League final, a record for the fourth successive year.
Let’s look back at some of the stand-out performances by Goan sportspersons in 2023.
Tanisha Crasto (Badminton)
It was the year of Tanisha Crasto. The Dubai-born Goan girl, won four major international titles - Abu Dhabi Masters, Guwahati Masters and Nantes International “ in women's doubles category partnering Ashwini Ponnappa.
She along with Dhruv Kapila also clinched the mixed doubles title at the Odisha Masters. Apart from this, Tanisha finished runners-up in the women's doubles category at the Syed Modi International tournament and Odisha Masters along with Ashwini Ponnappa. She also finished runners-up in the mixed doubles category at the Nantes International along with K. Sai Pratheek.
Babu Gaonkar (Modern Pentathlon)
Hailing from Netravali, Goa’s remotest village, Babu Gaonkar bagged Goa’s first gold medal at the 37th National Games in Goa. He finished first in modern pentathlon which involved a run of 600 metres and shooting (10 metres distance). Babu then teamed up with Seeta Gosavi to win the mixed relay silver. A month later, continuing his good form, Babu went on to win another gold, this time with a record-breaking time of 8 mins, 35 seconds in the senior category of UIPM Global Laser Run City Tour 2023 at Kathmandu, Nepal while making his debut appearance for India.
Shrungi Bandekar (Swimming)
Goa's leading swimmer Shrungi Bandekar won the best swimmer individual championship award in the women's category at the Khelo India University Games 2023 at Noida. Shrungi, who trains in Bengaluru, won five gold and four silver medals while representing Jain University, Bengaluru. Continuing her medal winning streak, Shrungi went on to clinch two bronze medals at the 76th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2023 at Hyderabad which was followed by three medals (one silver and two bronze) at the 37 th National Games in Goa.
Katya Coelho and Dayne Coelho (Yachting)
Overcoming the setback of being unceremoniously dropped from the Asian Games contingent, Katya Coelho showed her class as she clinched the gold in the iQFoil women’s category at the 37th National Games in Goa. Katya's win proved that she was capable enough to make it to China for the Asiad. Her brother Dayne Coelho, another national champion, did not disappoint either as he won the gold in the iQFoil men’s event. Their achievement showcased Goa’s proficiency in water sports.
Bhakti Kulkarni (Chess)
Goa’s first woman recipient of Arjuna Award, Bhakti Kulkarni won the Pilsen B Open 2023 held at Plzeň, Czech Republic. In the nine-round classical tournament, Bhakti played some tremendous chess to score 8 out of 9 points.
Goa's first Women Grand Master remained unbeaten, scoring 7 wins and 2 draws. She also won the best woman player prize. Later in the year, Bhakti finished third at the 49th National Women Chess Championship 2023 held at Ahmedabad.
Akanksha Salunke (Squash)
Goa’s squash champ Akanksha Salunkhe, who is now based in the United States, lived up to the expectations of her home crowd as she defeated Tamil Nadu’s Pooja Arthi in straight sets to clinch the women’s singles gold in the squash competition at the 37th National Games in Goa.
Sanjana Prabhugaonkar (Swimming)
Goa's young swimming sensation Sanjana Prabhugaonkar clinched her maiden medals at a senior event as she won three medals (two silver and one bronze) at the 37th National Games in Goa. Earlier in the year, Sanjana who has now shifted her training base to Dubai, had won a bronze medal at the 49th National Aquatic Swimming Championship at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
P. Anand (Taekwondo)
Ponda-based P. Anand became the only Goan to win three gold in three different editions of the National Games ” 2011 (Jharkhand), 2015 (Kerala) and now, 2023 (Goa) as he finished on top in the over 87kg category at the 37 th National Games in Goa.
Kareena Shirodkar (Pencak Silat)
In the newly-introduced sport of Pencak Silat, Panaji-resident and law student Kareena Shirodkar clinched gold in the women’s 85-kg category at the 37 th National Games in Goa. Kareena’s experience in martial arts helped her to tackle her opponents and clinch the yellow metal in front of her home crowd.
Nitish Belurkar (Chess)
International Master Nitish Belurkar was crowned champion at Satish Anna All-India Open Rapid Chess tournament held at Belgaum. Nitish remained undefeated scoring 8.5 points out of 9, with 8 wins and a draw.
Men’s Football Team
Coached by the legendary Bruno Coutinho, Goa’s beach soccer side clinched a silver medal at the 37 th National Games in Goa. The Goan squad went down fighting 5-7 to Kerala in the finals held at the Colva beach. Meanwhile, Goa’s football team did well to top their group stage in the prestigious Santosh Trophy and advance to the final round to be held in February “ March 2024.
