Veterans’ State Ranking TT at Nashik
Manish Rawat from Solapur won the hearts of spectators during the finals of the 4th State Ranking Veterans’ Table Tennis Tournament at Nasik Gymkhana, Nashik on Sunday evening. After the game scores were leveled at 2-2 in this 39+ Men’s singles final, both the players were on their toes, to seek the first opportunity to attack ; but luck favoured Manish in the decider, as he won with a narrow margin of 11-9.
Winners of 4th Maharashtra State Veterans Ranking Tournament Sunil Babras, Suhas Kulkarni, Prakash Kelkar, Manish Rawat & Suhasini Bakare with Hon chief Guest Mr.Bhushan Patwardhan Sr.G.M Sona Mahindra, Mr.Mukund Kulkarni Director SI Group of Companies, Mr.Vaibhav Joshi MD Ekvira Irrigation, Mr.Vilas Havare Vice Chairman Viwas co-op Bank , Mr.Raja Warty & other dignitaries on the dais.
Manish also partnered with Dr.Nitin Toshniwal to win the team championship event, when his team scored a 3-1 victory over Mumbai’s Gomantak ‘B’ team represented by K.K.Rai, Purshottam Markad and Ram kadam. The first match in this team event proved interesting , with fine display of strokes by Dr.Nitin Toshniwal against his spirited opponent Ram kadam.
Opening ceremony of Maharashtra State Veterans Ranking Tournament at the Nasik Gymkhana by lightning the lamp by Hon.Mrs Devyani Farande MLA and Mrs Seemtai Hire MLA with other dignitaries
There was some resistance offered by Aatmaram Gangarde against former international Sunil Babras, but seasoned Babras using his special skills, returned to his form after dropping a game, to win the 49+ Men’s finals with a set score of 3-1. All other finals proved to be one sided affairs, except for the Women’s Singles 49+ Finals, where Dr. Anagha Joshi showed some resistance , while going down to Suhasini Bakre 1-3. After winning the first game with comfort, Anagha lost the second game narrowly, despite leading by four points at one stage. Suhasini thereafter found her rhythm to dominate her opponent in next two games to win the title. Zarksis Khandadia continued with his winning run, when he won the fourth title in a row this season, winning the finals of men’s 69+ finals. In 64+ finals, Yogesh Desai also managed to take a game from former international Suhas Kulkarni .
Arun Rane with TT players at Nasik Gymkhana
The overall tournament was well organized , except for few complaints about non professional young umpires not being strict in implementing rule of proper tossing of ball during service. However, better playing conditions were offered with wooden flooring offered for all the seven tables. Mr. Narendra Chhajed and his team had really worked hard to help all participants and provide all the help, besides celebrating the birthday of one of the participants Mr. Jitu Mavani on the first day of the tournament.
The organisers also celebrated birthday of TT player Jitu Mavani.
The spectator response was also good. Moreover, the surprise visit of former state , national level TT player and Chhatrapati Award winner Arun Rane made all participants happy. Arun presently lives in Nashik and has recovered after suffering a stroke , while playing Veterans national championship in Cochin, some years ago. He was present for all semi final and final matches and appreciated the performance of all his TT friends.
The results of all the finals are as follows :
Men’s 39+ : Manish Rawat beat Upendra Limaye 3-2
Women’s 39+ : Shravani Dhapre beat Shilpa Bhole 3-0
Men’s 49+ Sunil Babras beat Aatmaram Gangarde 3-1
Women’s 49+ : Suhasini Bakre beat Dr.Anagha Joshi 3-1
Men’s 49+ : Prakash kelkar beat Jayant Kulkarni 3-0
Women’s 59+ : Mangal Saraf beat Rajeshwari Mhetre 3-0
Men’s 64+ : Suhas Kulkarni beat Yogesh Desai 3-1
Men’s 69+ : Zarksis Khandadia beat Dr. Mulye 3-0