PANAJI
Goa’s Sandhya Melasheemi emerged as the star performer at the Yonex-Sunrise 48th Indian Masters (Veteran) National Badminton Championships held at Navelim, clinching a double crown in the Women’s 40+ category.
The former Goa state champion and international medallist showed grit and composure to win the Women’s Singles 40+ title, defeating Smarika Manhas in a hard-fought three-game final 21-19, 13-21, 21-11. She then teamed up with Radhika Madhur Ingalhalikar to secure the Women’s Doubles 40+ crown with a 21-18, 21-13 win over Lalduhzuali and Prathana Thapa, completing a memorable campaign for the hosts.
Among other standout performers, Swati Sharma (UTR) bagged a double in the Women’s Singles 35+ and Women’s Doubles 35+ events, while Mohamed Rehan R. (TN) achieved a similar feat in the Men’s Doubles 35 and Mixed Doubles 35+ categories.
In the 40+ section, Harshad Bhagwat (MAH) won the Men’s Singles title, while the duo of Mayank Behal (PNB) and Manish Rawat (DLI) claimed the Men’s Doubles crown. In the 50+ category, Jaison Xavier (KER) dominated the Men’s Singles event, while Pradeep Kumar KS (KER) secured a double in the Mixed Doubles 50 and Men’s Doubles 50 events.
Other winners included Pooja Mehta (GUJ) in Women’s Singles 45+ and Arup Baidya (WB) in Mixed Doubles 45+, as Phase Two of the championship concluded with high-quality performances across age groups.
