Open field throw exciting prospects

2nd Gujarat State Ranking TT Tournament (Phase-II) – Rajkot

RAJKOT, Oct. 29: The 2nd Gujarat State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament (Phase II), organised by Rajkot District Table Tennis Association under the aegis of Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA), from 30th to 31st October, 2021 at SNK School, Rajkot will throw some exciting prospects with hosts of youngsters will fancy their chance, especially in the Men’s and Women’s segments.

While Gujarat’s top men’s players are busy preparing for international commitments, the men’s half is always an open challenge with three different winners at the three GSTTA tournaments so far. But the Women’s event has been a fiefdom of Frenaz Chipia with Krittiwka Sinha Roy adding a new flavour.

However, with Frenaz skipping the Rajkot tournament, supported by Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh, the Women’s draw will see a new champion this season.

While second seed Prarthna Parmar of Bhavnagar will be hoping to improve her second-place finishes in the last two State Ranking Tournaments, third seed Filzah Fatema Kadri will be hoping to make it a grand double with the Junior Girls’ (U-19) title.

Amid the surge of youngsters, one must not forget the likes of former champion and sixth seed Divya Gohil who will be looking to cash in on her vast experience.

In the men’s half, top seed Ishaan Hingorani of Kachchh will be looking to make amends for his recent erratic performance. But he must keep his guard up against the rising stars Chitrax Bhatt of Ahmedabad and Shlok Bajaj of Surat, who would also fancy his chances in the Junior Boys’ (U-19 and U-17) categories.

“I believe it will be one of our most open tournaments this season. We have a bunch of up-and-coming talents who will be looking forward to filling the boots of our missing stars,” GSTTA president Mr. Vipul Mittra, IAS, said.

“We have some 197 players who will take part in the tournament vying for six titles. I believe there will be exciting matchups as the players will be keen to sharpen their skills and remove the chinks out of their armour ahead of the bigger challenges,” GSTTA chairman Mr Milind Torawane, IAS, added.

Following are the Seedings :

Men’s: 1. Ishaan Hingorani (KCH), 2. Chitrax Bhatt (AHD), 3. Shlok Bajaj (SRT), 4. Akshit Savla (AHD), 5. Jignesh Jayswal (BVN), 6. Dhairya Parmar (AHM), 7. Ayaz Murad (SRT), 8. Jaynil Mehta (RJT)

Women’s: 1. Kausha Bhairapure (AHD), 2. Prarthna Parmar (BVN), 3. Filzah Fatema Kadri (SRT), 4. Aafrein Murad (SRT), 5. Namna Jayswal (BVN), 6. Divya Gohil (BVN), 7. Naitri Dave (BVN), 8. Bhavya Jayswal (BVN)

Junior Boys’ (U-19): 1. Chitrax Bhatt (AHD), 2. Burhanuddin Malubhai (SRT), 3. Harshil Kothari (BVN), 4. Abhilash Raval (AHD), 5. Pratham Madlani (BRD), 6. Shlok Bajaj (SRT), 7. Rudra Pandya (BVN), 8. Arman Shaikh (ARV)

Junior Girls’ (U-19): 1. Filzah Fatema Kadri (SRT), 2. Namna Jayswal (BVN), 3. Aafrein Murad (SRT), 4. Kausha Bhairapure (AHD), 5. Mili Tanna (SRT), 6. Riya Jayswal (BVN), 7. Naitri Dave (BVN), 8. Arnee Parmar (SRT)

Junior Boys’ (U-17): 1. Burhanuddin Malubhai (SRT), 2. Shlok Bajaj (SRT), 3. Arman Shaikh (ARV), 4. Shlok Malpani (SRT), 5. Harshvardhan Patel (ARV), 6. Himansh Dahiya (AHD), 7. Yash Makwana (BVN), 8. Aayush Tanna (SRT)

Junior Girls’ (U-17): 1. Nidhi Prajapati (AHD), 2. Pratha Pawar (AHD), 3. Arnee Parmar (SRT), 4. Mili Tanna (SRT), 5. Riya Jayswal (BVN), 6. Khushi Jadav (BVN), 7. Sheli Patel (BRD), 8. Rutva Kothari (BVN)

Written by : Pranjal Protim Boruah