Vadodara Jan, 18 : India no. 12 and Gujarat’s top-notch paddler Krittwika Sinha Roy secured a main-draw berth in women’s category to lead the hosts’ charge in the on-going UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championship played at SAMA Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Roy, wife of Arjuna Awardee and Surat’s favourite paddler Harmeet Desai, first turned out for Gujarat in 2021 and has dominated the state meets since. She topped Group 4 leaving behind T Lakshmi (TEL) and Hardee Patel (MAHA B).

Roy will have the company of India no. 19 and Surat-girl Frenaz Chipa who went past the seasoned Nikhat Banu (RBI) in her crucial qualifying match to make the cut.

In men’s section, all hopes will be pinned on Gujarat’s third ranked Soham Bhattacharya who had it easy in the qualifying rounds and progressed. Along with him, Jaynil Mehta, local-boy Jalay Mehta and Akshit Savla too made it to the main draw.

Earlier in the day, Punit Biswas of Bengal came back from a game down to beat Umesh Kumar of Tamil Nadu to clinch the U-15 boys title.
The Girls U-15 title went to Subhankrita Dutta (NCOE) after she crushed Sayanika Maji (DEL) 4-0.

Final results:
Boys U-15: Punit Biswas (BEN B) bt Umesh Kumar (TN) 4-2 (7-11,11-7,5-11,11-5,11-9,11-8);
Girls U-15: Subhankrita Dutta (NCOE) Bt. Sayanika Maji (DLI): 4-0 (11-8,11-6,11-6,11-9).