Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a thrilling showcase of talent at the Sunlite State Ranking Badminton Tournament 2024, five remarkable athletes—Amaira Dhumatker, Mohammed Umar, Advait Balakrishnan, Shivanjali Thite, and Shaheen C K—each achieved double crowns, marking an impressive conclusion to what has been a fiercely competitive season for the young badminton stars of Goa. This prestigious tournament was organized by the Sunlite Sports and Cultural Club in collaboration with the Shri Ashok Walke Charitable Trust, the Goa Badminton Association, and the Sports Authority of Goa, culminating in an exciting final at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji on Wednesday.
In an electrifying Boys Singles U11 final, Michael Ryan Mare showcased his dominance by decisively defeating Pratik P Naik Borkar with a commanding score of 21-9, 21-9. Amaira Dhumatker also shone brightly, emerging victorious as the Girls Singles U11 champion after overcoming Kanika Pai Vernekar with a score of 21-11, 21-16. The Boys Doubles U11 final was a tense battle, where Pratik P Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari edged out Arha Sahakari and Vedh Lotliker in a thrilling three-set match, winning 21-16, 11-21, 21-19. Meanwhile, in the Girls Doubles U11, Amaira Dhumatker teamed up with Ashbah Tahasildar to secure the title, triumphing over Aditi Dhargalkar and Kanika Pai Vernekar with scores of 21-10, 21-15.
Transitioning to the U13 category, Mohammed Umar Shaikh displayed exceptional skill by claiming the Boys Singles title, defeating the earlier champion Michael Ryan Mare with a convincing scoreline of 21-13, 21-12. In the Girls Singles U13, Niharika Parwar showcased remarkable resilience and determination, overcoming Pragya Audi in a challenging three-set match, winning 13-21, 21-16, 21-19. Mohammed Umar Shaikh excelled further by teaming up with Viraditya Pai Kane to clinch the Boys Doubles U13 title, decisively defeating Samarth Sakhalkar and Vishwa Parab with a resounding score of 21-16, 21-3. In a tightly contested battle, the Girls Doubles U13 title was claimed by Astha Poudel and Pragya Audi, who triumphed over Avni Khyalia and Palak Ramnathkar with a score of 21-16, 21-17.
Advancing to the U17 finals, Advait Balakrishnan displayed strategic brilliance as he emerged victorious against Rutav Kanabar in a closely fought Boys Singles U17 final, winning by a score of 21-18, 21-15. In a gripping contest for the Girls Singles U17 title, Shivanjali Thite fought back admirably to defeat Sufiya Shaikh, coming from a set down to secure victory with scores of 20-22, 21-19, 21-17. Alongside Shaheen C K, Advait Balakrishnan captured the Boys Doubles U17 title after a commanding performance against Aloisius Rodrigues and Sanand Nair, winning 21-9, 21-17. In the Girls Doubles U17, Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh claimed victory over Minoshka Pereira and Saanvi Audi with scores of 21-15, 21-18. The climax of the tournament saw Shaheen C K and Aarohi Coutoncar secure the Mixed Doubles U17 title, after rallying to beat the formidable duo of Advait Balakrishnan and Sufiya Shaikh in an intense three-set match, finishing 11-21, 21-19, 21-16.
Among the distinguished guests who attended the finals were Dr. Amol Ashok Walke, founder of the Ashok Walke Charitable Trust, along with trustees Satish Shirodker and Shrikant Shirodker, and prominent figures from the Goa Badminton Association including President Manoj Patil and Secretary Praveen Shenoy. They were joined by organizing club members Rupchandra Humraskar (President), Arnaldo Rodrigues (Secretary), Bhushan Vernekar (Treasurer), and Tournament Director Marina Albuquerque, who collectively contributed to the success of this prestigious event.
Finals Results:
BS U11
Michael Ryan Mare (1), , def. Pratik P Naik Borkar, , 21-9 21-9 .
GS U11
Amaira Dhumatker (1), , def. Kanika Pai Vernekar, , 21-11 21-16 .
BD U11
Pratik P Naik Borkar and Varun Sahakari (2), , def. Arha Sahakari and Vedh Lotliker, , 21-16 11-21 21-19 .
GD U11
Amaira Dhumatker and Ashbah Tahasildar (2), , def. Aditi Dhargalkar and Kanika Pai Vernekar, , 21-10 21-15 .
BS U13
Mohammed Umar Shaikh (1), , def. Michael Ryan Mare, , 21-13 21-12 .
GS U13
Niharika Parwar (1), , def. Pragya Audi, , 13-21 21-16 21-19 .
BD U13
Mohammed Umar Shaikh and Viraditya Pai Kane (2), , def. Samarth Sakhalkar and Vishwa Parab, , 21-16 21-3 .
GD U13
Astha Poudel and Pragya Audi, , def. Avni Khyalia and Palak Ramnathkar (2), , 21-16 21-17 .
BS U17
Advait Balakrishnan (1), , def. Rutav Kanabar, , 21-18 21-15 .
GS U17
Shivanjali Thite (1), , def. Sufiya Shaikh, , 20-22 21-19 21-17 .
BD U17
Advait Balakrishnan and Shaheen C K (2), , def. Aloisius Rodrigues and Sanand Nair, , 21-9 21-17 .
GD U17
Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh (5), , def. Minoshka Pereira and Saanvi Audi, , 21-15 21-18 .
XD U17
Shaheen C K and Aarohi Coutoncar, , def. Advait Balakrishnan and Sufiya Shaikh (2), , 11-21 21-19 21-16 .
What training strategies did Amaira Dhumatker implement to prepare for the Sunlite State Ranking Badminton Tournament?
**Interview with Amaira Dhumatker: Double Crown Champion at the Sunlite State Ranking Badminton Tournament 2024**
**Interviewer:** Congratulations, Amaira! You had an outstanding performance at the Sunlite State Ranking Badminton Tournament, winning both the Girls Singles and Doubles titles in the U11 category. How does it feel to achieve this double crown?
**Amaira Dhumatker:** Thank you so much! It feels absolutely amazing to have won both titles. I’ve been training hard for this tournament, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see all that effort pay off. Winning against such talented competitors was a thrilling experience.
**Interviewer:** You faced Kanika Pai Vernekar in the singles final. Can you describe that match and how you managed to secure your victory?
**Amaira Dhumatker:** It was a tough match! Kanika is a strong player, and we both gave our best. I focused on my strategy, keeping my composure throughout the game. I aimed to play aggressively while also being patient, and thankfully, it worked out well for me in the end.
**Interviewer:** You also partnered with Ashbah Tahasildar to win the Girls Doubles title. What was it like playing alongside her, and how did you approach that match?
**Amaira Dhumatker:** Playing with Ashbah was fantastic! We have great chemistry on the court, and we communicate really well. We decided to play to our strengths and focus on teamwork. In the final, we stayed positive and kept encouraging each other, which really helped us clinch the victory.
**Interviewer:** This tournament was highly competitive. What did you learn from your experience, and how do you plan to build on this success going forward?
**Amaira Dhumatker:** I learned that staying focused and composed is crucial, especially in high-pressure situations. Every match is a learning opportunity, and I’m motivated to keep improving my skills. I plan to keep training hard and participating in more tournaments to gain even more experience.
**Interviewer:** Any final thoughts or shout-outs you’d like to share?
**Amaira Dhumatker:** I’d like to thank my coaches and my parents for their unwavering support. And of course, a huge shout-out to all the participants. It’s wonderful to see so many young talents in Goa! I’m excited about what the future holds for all of us.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Amaira, and congratulations once again on your fantastic achievements. We look forward to seeing more of you in the future!
**Amaira Dhumatker:** Thank you! I’m excited too!
