Young talented shuttler Kashika Mahajan playing in the big league for the first time bagged the women’s singles crowns in the Jain Foundation-Kshatriya BKLP Badminton Tournament jointly organized by the Kshatriya Badminton Academy and BKLP and played at the Andheri Sports Complex, Andheri.
Young 17-year-old shuttler Kashika Mahajan (left) receives the women’s singles trophy from film actor Sachin Pilgaonkar during the prize distribution ceremony of the Kshatriya BKLP Badminton Tournament.
In the men’s competition, Lakshya Kumar Chauhan clinched a grand double winning the singles and doubles titles.
The 17-year-old Kashika making her debut in the women’s singles event was impressive and played aggressively to put it across Nidhi Dave, winning the women’s final in two straight games. Kashika asserted her dominance over Nidhi from the outset and quickly wrapped up contest coasting to a 21-10, 21-17 victory in just 30 minutes.
Later, in the men’s singles summit round, Lakshya encountered quite a strong challenge from Tejas Prabhudesai and the match witnessed a closely fought battle for supremacy. Lakshya started positively and comfortably won the opening game but Tejas came roaring back to win the second and force the deciding third game. In the third game, both players gave it their best shot and the scores ran close before Lakshya managed to come up trumps recording a 21-13, 11-21, and 21-17 win in 47 minutes.
Earlier, Lakshya Chauhan and Saransh Gajbhiye won the Men’s doubles title defeating Nimesh Maurya and Tejas Prabhudesai 21-16, and 24-22.
In the women’s singles semi-finals, Kashika tamed Rahina Shaikh winning easily at 21-7, 21-6, while
Nidhi overcame Sakshi Barve 21-12, 21-13.
In the men’s singles penultimate round, Lakshya put it across Nimesh Maurya winning in straight games at 21-12, 21-18 while Tejas Prabhudesai fought hard to defeat Mann Gajra 21-17, 16-21, 21-8.
After a two-year hiatus, Mumbai held its first badminton tournament organized jointly by Kshatriya Badminton Academy and BKLP and sponsored by Jain Foundation.
Results – Women’s Singles – Finals: Kashika Mahajan beat Nidhi Dave 21-10, 21-17. Semi-finals: Kashika Mahajan beat Rahina Shaikh 21-7, 21-6; Nidhi Dave beat Sakshi Barve 21-12, 21-13.
Men’s Singles – Finals: Lakshya Kumar Chauhan beat Tejas Prabhudesai 21-13, 11-21, 21-17.
Semi-finals: Lakshya Kumar Chauhan beat Nimesh Maurya 21-12, 21-18; Tejas Prabhudesai beat Mann Gajra 21-17, 16-21, 21-8.
Men’s Doubles – Finals: Lakshya Chauhan/Saransh Gajbhiye beat Nimesh Maurya/Tejas Prabhudesai 21-16, 24-22. Semi-finals: Lakshya Chauhan/Saransh Gajbhiye beat Dhirendra Maurya/Shushant Shetty 21-13, 21-12; Nimesh Maurya/Tejas Prabhudesai beat Aditya Swamy/Purav Suryamurthy 22-20, 21-18.