Rutva, Shlok, Riya, Himansh claim titles at Vidhyanagar

Vidhyanagar, September 8: Rutva Kothari of Bhavnagar and Surat’s Shlok Bajaj claimed Sub Junior Girls’ and Boys’ titles respectively on the last day of the 4th Gujarat State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament 2019 at Vidhyanagar on Sunday.
The tournament was organised by Anand District Table Tennis Association under the aegis of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association.

On the Super Sunday at the HM Patel Badminton Hall that witnessed four finals, Bhavnagar bagged two. Apart from Rutva, Riya Jayswal walked away with the Cadet Girls’ crown. Himansh Dahiya lifted the Cadet Boys’ trophy.

In the Sub Junior Girls’ final, Rutva faced Sheli Patel of Baroda. Sheli started on blistering note taking the first game without much sweat 11-2. However, lanky Rutva changed gears in second game with some attacking forehand winners to equalize. It was enough for Rutva as she won next three hames and the match 2-11 12-10 11-8 11-7 11-9.

Earlier in the semis, both the finalists had recorded contrasting wins. Rutva went past Arnee Parmar of Surat 11-5 11-7 11-7 11-5 while Sheli had to fight hard against another Surti Krisha Raval 11-6 12-10 11-7 8-11 12-9.

However, Shlok Bajaj ensured Surtis had something to cheer about. In the Sub Junior Boys final Shlok overcame Arman Shaikh of Arvalli 11-8 6-11 1-11 11-8 11-5 9-11 11-3. It was no less than an entertainer as both paddlers played attacking game and engaged long rallies.

Meanwhile, Riya Jayswal too gave her family a reason to cheer. After her father, Jignesh Jayswal finished runners up in Men’s and elder sister Namna couldn’t make it to any title rounds, Riya beat Jahnavi Patel of Navsari in a closely fought Cadet Girls final 12-10 11-8 9-11 12-10 7-11 11-6.

Ahmedabad-based Himansh Dahiya won the Cadet Boys’ title at the expense of surprise finalist Aayush Tanna of Surat. Himansh needed five games to register 11-7 11-4 8-11 11-8 11-6 victory.