Charishma, Rithvik emerge singles champs; Satwik-Radhika win mixed doubles title

There was much to cheer for the home crowd as fifth seed Surya Charishma Tamiri came from behind to get the better of Odisha’s Tanvi Patri in the women’s singles final of the 87th Senior National Badminton Championship at the Chennupati Ramakotaiah Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium in Vijayawada on Sunday. The 19-year-old Vijayawada born Charishma prevailed 17-21, 21-12, 21-14

Seeded players have had a tough time in the tournament as only two seeds made it to the singles’ finals. While Charishma managed to get past Tanvi, seventh seed Bharat Raghav was not so lucky.

Unseeded Rithvik Sanjeevi continued with his giant-killing act as he felled Bharat Raghav of Haryana to claim the men’s singles crown. The Tamil Nadu shuttler won 21-16, 22-20.

The much-anticipated women’s singles final between the local favourite and a player attempting to become the youngest Senior National champion lived up to its billing as both players had their chances in the 58-minute encounter.

Up against the unseeded Tanvi, Charishma was a bit tentative, and the opening was fully exploited by the 14-year-old shuttler. Tanvi took control of the match at the midway stage of the opening game, and it looked like she had frustrated her opponent enough to induce unforced errors.

Tanvi, who had slayed a few seeds on the way to the final, took the first game at 21-17. However, Charishma pulled up her socks and came back strongly in the match. Egged on the by crowd, the Andhra Pradesh shuttler stepped up the pace and took Tanvi by surprise.

At 6-5 in the second game, Charishma swatted a service return in the net. But the service judge had called it a fault for height and that gave her a reprieve. She then went on to win seven consecutive points to take control of the second game. Charishma romped to an easy 21-12 victory to level the tie.

In the decider, Charishma engaged Tanvi in long rallies at the start, and the tiredness began to show on the youngster. Though Tanvi tried to keep pace with her opponent, but she clearly ran out of steam as the Andhra Pradesh girl wrapped up the match with six straight points from 15-14 onwards. Charishma took the game at 21-14 to the utter delight of the Sunday crowd.

Rithvik Sanjeevi defeated Bharat Raghav to clinch the men’s singles title at the 87th Senior National Badminton Championship in Vijayawada on Sunday

In the men’s final, Rithvik was yet again unstoppable. This has been a fabulous show from the Tamil Nadu player as he totally dominated the final. Raghav, who had beaten second seed M Tharun of Telangana in the semifinal, was unable to match the pace of his rival’s game. Rithvik, who had accounted for top seed Kiran George of RBI, was on top of his game yet again. Rithvik relied on his superior defence and composure to overcome the challenge of Raghav. Rithvik took the first game at 21-16.

Raghav made an effort to claw his back in the second game as he opened up a 9-5 lead, but Rithvik was in no mood to allow it to happen. The 2024 Odisha Masters winner bagged six consecutive points to regain the lead, and it felt like he would cruise to victory before two bad judgement calls allowed Raghav to fight back and even earn a game point.

But Rithvik kept his cool and stuck to his game plan and wrapped up the match in 39 minutes. Rithvik took the game and match at 22-20.

The women’s double was won by third seeded players Shikha Gautam and Ashwin Bhat K of Karnataka. They had quite an easy outing against second seeds Priya Devi Konjengbam of Manipur and Shruti Mishra of Uttar Pradesh. The Karnataka girls won 21-14, 21-18.

The men’s doubles title was claimed by top seeds Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar R of Tamil Nadu. They defeated unseeded Mithileish P Krishnan and Prejan 21-17, 21-12.

Sathwik Reddy K of Telangana and PNB’s Radhika Sharma won the mixed doubles title

Second seeds Sathwik Reddy K of Telangana and PNB’s Radhika Sharma. The duo brooked no challenge against top seeds Ashith Surya and Amrutha P of Karnataka as they won 21-9, 21-15.

Results (finals): Women’s singles: 5-Surya Charishma Tamiri (AP) beat Tanvi Patri (ORI) 17-21, 21-12, 21-14.

Women’s doubles: 3-Shikha Gautam/ Ashwini Bhat K (KTK) beat 2-Priya Devi Konjengbam/ Shruti Mishra (MNP/UP) 21-14, 21-18.

Men’s singles: Rithvik Sanjeevi (TN) beat 7-Bharat Raghav (HAR) 21-16, 22-20.

Men’s doubles: 1-Hariharan Amsakarunan/ Ruban Kumar R (TN) bt Mithileish P Krishnan/ Prejan (PY) 21-17, 21-12.

Mixed doubles: 2-Sathwik Reddy K/ Radhika SHARMA (TS/PNB) beat 1-Ashith Surya /Amrutha P (KTK) 21-9, 21-15.