Akshit, Radhapriya start as favourites

Gandhidham: Ahmedabad duo of Akshit Salve and Kausha Bhairapure are the top seeds in the men’s and women’s categories respectively of the Tapti Valley International School 7th Gujarat State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament 2023 organized by Table Tennis Association of Surat District under the aegis of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association from September 8 to 10 at Tapti Valley International School, Surat.

Akshit took home the men’s title of the previous state edition of the state ranking meet held in Jamnagar after a thumping win over Surat’s Burhanuddin Malubhai. While Burhanuddin will miss the tournament, all eyes will be on Akshit in the men’s draw.

Previous edition winner in women’s event, Radhapriya Goel will once again pose a strong threat to the top seed Kausha. Local star Frenaz Chipia, who won the Vadodara leg, will look to perform well on the home turf.

Ahmedabad’s Oishiki Joardar and Soham Bhattacharya are notable players who will miss the Surat meet.

A total number of 530 entries have been received for the tournament.

President, Gujarat State Table Tennis Association, Shri Pramod Chaudhary said that this is the last state ranking of the year and hopes players will go all out in this tournament. “This is the last state rankings and after this, just the state championship in Ahmedabad will remain. Players need to up the ante and push harder to improve their rankings,” shri Chaudhary said.

Secretary, Table Tennis Association of Surat District, shri Amit Choksi informed that all preparations of host players and their wards have been done. “A total of 10 tables have been placed for the meet and we have given out the bus routes with timings to all the participants,” Shri Choksi said.

Top seeds: Mens: Akshit Savla. Womens: Kausha Bhairapure. U-19 boys: Armaan Shaikh. U-19 girls: Riya Jayswal. U-17 boys: Himansh Dahiya. U-17 girls: Riya Jayswal. U-15 boys: Malav Panchal. U-15 girls: Jiya Trivedi. U-13 boys: Jenil Patel.

U-13 girls: Charmy Trivedi. U-11 boys: Ansh Khamar. U-11 girls: Vincy Tanna.