Kush, Harshit win boys and girls titles

Chennai, Kush Kumar of Tamil Nadu graduated to the senior level with his ninth national title after he claimed the Under-19 boys trophy in the Junior Squash Nationals, which concluded here today.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Harshit Kaur Jwanda retained her Under-19 girls title.

Abhisheka Shannon, daughter of former International athlete Angela Lincy and Football coach Robin became the new champion in the girls Under-11 category. Shannon took time to settle down before setting aside the challenge of top seed Diksha Aurubindo of Tamil Nadu.

Kush had an easy outing against Vijay Kumar, who he beat 11-5 11-7 11-6 to clinch the title.

On the other hand, second seeded Jwanda was two games down against Lakshya Ragavendran, the top seed, in the final, but she held on to her nerves to register a come from behind victory, 9-11 10-12 11-8 11-4 11-7.

Yet another creditable effort came from Adya Advani, the second seed in the girls U-17 section, as she toppled the top seeded Akanksha Salunkhe of Goa in five games.

The boys’ title in the U-17 category was grabbed by Velavan Senthilkumar.

Results:

Boys (U-19): Kush Kumar (1) (TN) bt Vijay Kumar (2) (TN) 11-5, 11-7, 11-6.

U-17: Velavan Senthilkumar (1) (TN) bt Robin Singh Mann (5/8) (Del) 11-7 11-1 11-6.

U-15: Tushar Shahani (1) (Mah) bt Chitanya Shah (2) (Mah) 11-9 11-9 11-8.

U-13: Yash Fadte (1) (Goa) bt Advait Adik (3/4) (Mah) 11-8 13-11 11-2.

U-11: Jeh Pandole (1) (Mah) bt Shreyas Mehta (2) (Mah) 11-9 15-13 11-5.

Girls (U-19): Harishit Kaur Jawanda (2) (Del) bt Lakshya Ragavendran (1) (TN) 9-11 10-12 11-8 11-4 11-7.

U-17: Adya Advani (2) (Del) bt Akanksha Salunkhe (1) (Goa) 11-7 6-11 11-6 3-11 11-9.

U-15: Nikita Joshi (1) (Mah) bt Amita Gondi (5/8) (AP) 11-6 11-9 11-3.

U-13: Megha Bhatia (2) (Del) bt Ananya Dabke (5/8) (Mah) 12-10 12-14 11-9 7-11 11-6.

U-11: Abhisheka Shannon (3/4) (TN) bt Diksha Aurobindo (1) (TN) 7-11 11-8 11-7 11-7.