Shimla, April 8: India’s Under-19 girls underlined their authority with a resounding 3-0 win over Sri Lanka even as the preliminary round in all categories gained momentum at the regional qualifying event for the ITTF-ATTU Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships here at the Indira Gandhi Rajya Khel Parisar on Tuesday.
With a higher ranking, the Indian U-19 girls made an immediate impact. Jennifer Varghese, Ananya Muralidharan and Prisha Goel all recorded consecutive or four-match wins, completing a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Sri Lanka defeated Nepal 3-1 while Maldives defeated Bangladesh by the same margin. Nepal bounced back strongly in the second round to beat Bangladesh 3-0.
In the U15 boys category, India repeated this dominance with a 3-0 win against Maldives in the second round. Aditya Das, Akshay Kirikara and Akash Rajavelu conceded very few points in their games, highlighting India’s strength at the sub-junior level. Earlier, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in the opening round.
The girls’ under-15 category saw closer contests, with Maldives beating Nepal 3-2 in a hard-fought encounter, while Sri Lanka comfortably beat Bangladesh 3-0.
In the U19 boys’ first round, Nepal came from an early deficit to pull off a tough comeback win against Bangladesh 3-2, while Sri Lanka registered a comfortable win over the Maldives.
The second round matches in the U19 boys and U15 girls categories are yet to be played and are scheduled for the coming days.
Meanwhile, the U19 girls remain the only category competing to qualify for the Asian Youth Championships. However, the continental event originally scheduled for June in Muscat was postponed due to the ongoing West Asian crisis.
With the momentum building and crucial encounters looming, the competition in Shimla is expected to heat up in the next few days.
Earlier, the event was inaugurated by state Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu in the presence of Himachal Pradesh Sports Director and other dignitaries.
Results team:
Under 19 girls: Round 1: Sri Lanka vs Nepal 3-1 (Tamadi Alagiyawadu vs Binaca Rai 11-8, 12-10, 16-14, Shamalsha Halawathage vs Evana Thapa 13-11, 6-11, 11-8, 18-20, Lesanduy Poujjal Kstppu, 11-1, 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, Tamadi bt Evana 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6); Maldives vs Bangladesh 3:1 (Ibrahim Mishka vs Khoy Sai 11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 11-9, Fathimath Ali vs Oishe Rohman 12-14, 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9mi Nasfiz, Aishyath 5-11, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11, Fathimath bt Khoy 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7).
Round 2: India vs Sri Lanka 3-0 (Jennifer Varghese vs Shamaisha 12-10, 11-8, 11-9, Ananya Muralidharan vs Tamadi 11-7, 11-7, 12-10, Prisha Goel vs Sandin Mudiyanselage 8-11, 11-4, 1-9); Nepal vs Bangladesh 3-0 (Evana vs Bangladesh 11-9, 11-6, 11-4, Binaca vs Khoy 11-6, 11-7, 11-9, Yonggi vs Oishe 11-4, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5).
Under 15 girls: Round 1: Maldives vs Nepal 3-2 (Aaishath Thaseen vs Suramya Shakya 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, Aishath Nafiz vs Arsana Maharjan 11-9, 11-4, 11-5, Sara Moosa lost to Shyra 12-10, 7-11, 8-11, 7-11, Nafiz lost to Suramya 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11, Thaseen lost to Arsana 11-9, 11-7, 13-11); Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 3-0 (Muthuli Welathanthrige vs Rafia Chowdhury 11-6, 11-7, 11-9, Chanuki Kariyawasam vs Islam Roza 11-6, 11-5, 11-7, Hesanya Pathirana vs Most Roja 11-6, 11-8, 11-6).
Under 19 boys: Round 1: Nepal vs. Bangladesh 3:2 (Himal Bista lost to Abul Hasib 9:11, 11:4, 11:13, 11:9, 9:11, Erish Shakya lost to Iqbal Nafiz 7:11, 6:11, 7:11. Sameer Khatri vs. Tahmi Rahman, 2:10, 2:11, 11:7, 11-9, Himal bt Iqbal 6-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9, Erish bt Abul 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9); Sri Lanka from Maldives Akain Viyanduwa from Awan Ibrahim 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, Nisalvin Danuk from Mohammad Rafiu 11-5, 11-6, 11-9, Hareen Munasingha from Imran Muhammad 11-7, 11-18, 12-10).
Under 15 boys: Round 1: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 3-0 (Yenu Abeywickrama vs Midul Rahman 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3, Sanon Menuwelge vs Shahin Ahamed 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, Pi btishjige 11-5, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5).
Round 2: India vs Maldives 3-0 (Aditya Das vs Mlohamed Rafiu 11-3, 11-3, 11-2, Akshay Kirikara vs Faaz Latheef 11-2, 11-5. 11-2, Akash Rajavelu vs Ayoob Saleem 11-4, 11-6, 11-3).
