Indian sports wrap, June 25: India storms into three finals at Squash Asian Doubles Championships

SQUASH

India qualfies for three finals at Asian Doubles Championships

India continued its strong run at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships, hosted by the Asian Squash Federation in Kuching, Malaysia, with pairs reaching the finals in all three categories – Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles. India has now confirmed four medals at the event.

Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh defeated Malaysia’s Ainaa Armani and Syafiq Kamal, winning 11-8, 10-11, 11-5 in a 46-minute battle. They will now face the Malaysian top pair, Rachel Arnold and Ameesshraj Chandran, who earlier defeated India’s Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshana Chinappa 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 (37 mins) in another closely contested match.

Abhay and Velavan continued their strong run, defeating Hong Kong China’s Chi Him Wong and Ming Tang 11-5, 11-9 in a physically demanding 42-minute semifinal to set up a final clash with Pakistan.

In the women’s doubles semifinal, Joshana and Anahat defeated Hong Kong’s Po You Kirstie Won and Yee Lam Toby 11-7, 11-6 in just 22 minutes. 

– Team Sportstar

PICKLEBALL

World Pickleball League Launches ‘WPBL On Tour’

The World Pickleball League (WPBL) today announced the launch of ‘WPBL On Tour’, a series of off-season events including a unique multi-city tournament. The off-season initiative of franchise-led tournaments and events aims to expand community engagement in India’s fastest-growing sport.

WPBL on Tour will be held in the six franchise cities over four months, with each franchise hosting a city-based tournament. The World Pickleball League will enable the franchise to organise tournaments that will be open to local pickleball players and enthusiasts, and offer an unparalleled opportunity to them to compete under the banner of their city’s team.

“WPBL On Tour’ is our way of empowering our franchises to grow their local presence, build loyal communities, and embed pickleball into the cultural fabric of their cities with a year-round engagement,” said Gaurav Natekar, Co-founder & CEO, World Pickleball League.

– Team Sportstar

CHESS

GM Lalit Babu, CM Madhesh ensure Indian sweep at Auriopro Chess Tournament

Grandmaster Lalit Babu and Candidate Master Madhesh Kumar made it an Indian sweep as they emerged champions in contrasting fashion in the Auriopro International Grandmaster and Junior Chess Tournament, which concluded at the World Trade Centre, in Mumbai.

While Lalit Babu won his ninth and final round encounter against top seeded Georgian GM Lavin Pantsulaia to tally 8 points, he had to spend anxious moments as Armenian GM Mamikon Gharibyan also tallied 8 points, winning his final match against Indian GM Neeloptal Das.

However, Lalit Babu’s higher tie-break score of 54.5, as compared to Gharibyan’s 54, ensured that he laid his hands on the glittering trophy and took home the winner’s purse of Rs 4 lakhs. Indian Deepan Chakravarthy finished in fifth place, winning him Rs 1.25 lakhs.

In comparison, teen prodigy Madhesh, who impressed with calm and focused play, won the title outright, with eight points, scoring a last-round win over Vyom Malhotra. Madhesh earned Rs 2 lakhs for his fine performance, while Advik Agrawal finished runner–up and earned Rs 1.5 lakhs.

Sannidhi Bhat was adjudged the Best Female Player and won Rs 45,000 plus a trophy, while Rachit Gurnani and Mysha Perwez emerged the best among the Mumbai Boys and Girls, respectively, winning Rs 30,000 each and a trophy.

– Team Sportstar