India’s Prasunna Parekh from Ahmedabad, Gujarat has won 1 Gold and 2 Bronze medals at the recently concluded World Masters’ Table Tennis Championship at Rome, Italy. Prasunna who had won 3 Gold medals last year at the Commonwealth Masters Table Tennis Championship at Hyderabad, went on to give her best at the World Masters’ TT Championship, with 6100 participants from 110 countries in the world.
Prasunna Parekh poses with three medals won by her at the World Msters’ TT Champonship in Rome, Italy.
In the Women’s 45+ Doubles, Prasunna bagged her first Gold medal, partnering Minu Basak. Then in the 45+ Mixed Doubles she won a Bronze medal partnering K.Srivatsa. In the Women’s 45+ Singles, she had put up a an impressive performance starting from Quarter finals, beating Hengstman Evelion from Netherlands in closely contested 5 games battle and raised the hopes of India for a Gold medal. However, in the semi finals she lost another close battle against Jensen Janne from Denmark and had to contend with another Bronze medal. Prasunna’s Women’s double partner Minu Basak won the Consolation 45+ Women’s Singles event. Another Indian woman Anjana Rao in the same age group, lost in the quarter finals to Markova Yuliya 1-3.
Prasunna Parekh and Minu Basak( centre) proudly display their Gold medals
Perfoarmance of Prasunna Parekh was considered to be the best among the Indian players. The competition was very tough this time with 6100 particpants from 110 countries taking part in this mega event. But, the organisers had made very good arramgements at the venue and the matches played on 250+ TT tables spread in 5 exhibition halls were conducted as per schedule.
Prasunna Parekh (L) with Anjana Rao before their Quarter final matches.
For Prasunna this was a big achievement, as she had worked very hard practising 4 to 5 hours a day before leaving for this championship. Thanks to Postal Department of Gujarat for offering her concession for practice.
Prasunna being greeted by Yogesh Desai after her semi final match.
Markova Yuliya proved herself the player of this tournament, as she fought very well right from quarter finals stage. In every win, she shared her happiness with her local supporters present in the stadium. Her husband who was all the time with her to guide her during each match. After his wife won the Gold medal, he invited their five year old daughter to click this happy moment for a group photo. Their son is a new champion in the making, having won the European Championship in the U-13 Boys singles.
Markova Yuliya ( Centre) poses with her husband and daughter after winning the Women’s 45+ title
Few Indians had made it to the last 16 stage of the main draw in different events, among them were Mumbai’s Mangal Saraf( 65+) , Pune’s Ranjana Patki( 65+). & Ulhas Shirke ( 70+) from Mumbai, who partnered New Zealand’s Yvonne Fogarti in Mixed doubles. Jankiram Jairam also made it to last 16 in Men’s 45+ main draw. Indu Sharma was Runner-up in Consolation Singles of Women’s 45+ singles. There were many players from India who performed well in Consolation draw of different events. And the best performance was from Minu Basak who won the Consolation Women’s Singles finals in 45+ age group.
The overall tournament was conducted very well . However, few Indians reported the incidences of thefts and attempts to thefts. Mobile phone, tablet and a bag containing 900 Euros were stolen from the hotel where one participant from Pune, India lived along with his wife. He lodged a police complaint; but the Police didn’t visit the hotel. This incidence was brought to the notice of officials at Indian Embassy stall at the venue; but they regretted their inability to deal with such cases.
Another 70+ player from Mumbai who travelled in a crowded Metro rail on the off day, had almost become a victim of theft, when his money purse fell down on his legs, as it slipped from the hands of a pickpocket. So, next time, when you visit Rome, do take good care of your belongings.