Indian sports wrap, November 18: Payas, Swastika claim singles titles at UTT National Ranking tournament
Here are the results, scores, and other updates you need to know from sports happening across the length and breadth of the country.
TABLE TENNIS
Payas, Swastika claim singles titles at UTT National Ranking tournament
Rising India player Payas Jain and PSPB’s Swastika Ghosh claimed the men’s and women’s singles titles with hard-fought wins at the UTT National Ranking table tennis tournament here.
It was the first title of the season for Delhi-based Payas as well as Swastika.
In the men’s singles final, Payas held off a spirited challenge from Akash Pal of Railways, prevailing 12-10, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8.
Swastika edged past Syndrela Das of West Bengal in a gripping six-game battle, 12-10, 12-14, 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10, marked by long rallies and bold shot-making under pressure.
Among the youth categories, Priyanuj Bhattacharyya (Assam) captured the Youth Boys U-19 title, defeating M. Balamurugan 4-1, showing superior composure in the closing stretch.
In the Youth Girls U-19 final, Syndrela Das of West Bengal bounced back strongly, producing a commanding 4–0 win over Shriya Anand of Tamil Nadu, sealing her title dominantly with a 4-0 triumph.
Results
Men’s Singles: Final: Payas Jain (Del) bt Akash Pal (RSPB) 12-10, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8.
Semifinals: Akash bt Manush Shah (RBI) 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-6; Payas bt Jash Modi (Mah) 11-5, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8.
Quarterfinals: Manush bt Harmeet Desai (PSPB) 3-1; Akash bt P.B. Abhinand (TN) 3-1; Payas bt S. Preyesh Raj (TN) 3-0; Jash bt SFR Snehit (IA&AD) 3-0.
Women’s Singles: Final: Swastika Ghosh (PSPB) bt Syndrela Das (WB) 12-10, 12-14, 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10.
Semifinals: Swastika bt Selena Deepthi (TN) 11-7, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9; Syndrela bt Yashaswini Ghorpade (PSPB) 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7.
-PTI
MOTORSPORT
Another weekend, another pole for Indian racer Atiqa Mir
Formula 1 Academy-backed Indian racer Atiqa Mir showed scorching speed for her second pole position in as many weeks before picking up a Heat win in Round 2 of the RMC UAE Karting Championship in Abu Dhabi.
After a pole and podium finish in the Formula 1-backed COTFA series last week, Atiqa switched seamlessly into a different equipment to set blistering pace at the Al Forsan Circuit. She is the first Indian to be supported by Formula 1.
In the official practice sessions, Atiqa topped three out of the four sessions and clocked the fastest time of the day in a highly competitive field of international drivers. She was the only female.
Atiqa, who turned 11 last week, carried that form into qualifying, clinching pole position in the dying minutes of the session with a sizzling time of 60.686 seconds.
Representing Akcel GP, she led from the front in the Heat race for a deserving victory. She lost the lead briefly on Lap 1 before regaining it soon after and pulling away from the field of 18 drivers.
In the pre-final race, Atiqa suffered a big crash while fighting for the lead on the last lap, injuring her elbow. After making up five places on the opening lap, Atiqa’s kart developed a technical problem, forcing an early retirement.
“I got a hard hit on my elbow and it is bruised quite badly. I wanted to fight and get back to the front in the final but it wasn’t meant to be as my panel broke and due to that I couldn’t drive,” said Atiqa.
-PTI
Published on Nov 18, 2025