MARGAO
Goa’s Tanaji Sawant continued his scintillating form to storm into the semifinals of the All India Masters Ranking Badminton tournament. The progress to the last-four earned him a berth in the India team that will participate in the BWF World Seniors Championships.
The nationals underway at Manohar Parrikar Indoor stadium, Navelim are a selection tournament to pick the India team that will participate in the November-December BWF Worlds in Spain, with the top-four in each category qualifying for the elite event.
On an eventful day for Goan shuttlers, there were several other notable performances from other top State Masters players, particularly Dr Satish Kudchadkar and Dr Sicletica Rebello, who also qualified for the worlds.
Results involving Goan players: Men’s Singles 75+ semifinals - Dr Satish Dhondu Kudchadkar (Goa) bt Mohan Murari Lal Srivastava 21-19, 21-15; Men’s Singles 65+ quarterfinals - Tanaji Sawant (Goa) bt Laxmanbhai Chavda 21-13, 21-18; Women’s Singles 75+ semifinals - Sicletica Rebello (Goa) lost to Olga D'Costa 21-6, 21-9; Mixed Doubles 65+ quarterfinals - Kashinath Jalmi / Perpetua Jacques (Goa) lost to Venkatachalaiah V / Bhagya Lakshmi 21-10, 21-16; Men’s Doubles 65+ quarterfinals - Pradeep Dhond / Tanaji Sawant (Goa) lost to Puttaraj MS / Jayanth Shetty 21-18, 21-18.
