Jash Modi , Selena are singles champions

Dehradun (Team Newsbuddy): Maharashtra’s Jash Modi emerged as the well-deserving men’s singles champion at the 38th National Games, following in the footsteps of fellow youngster Selena Deepthi Selvakumar from Tamil Nadu on the final day of the table tennis events at the Parade Ground Indoor Hall.

Jash showcased remarkable composure and endurance against seasoned national champion Sathiyan in a final that went down to the wire. Despite leading 3-2, the experienced paddler turned the match around by claiming the next games. But Jash sealed a thrilling 4-3 victory by claiming the last game. The contest was a spectacle of intense rallies and clinical finishes, but in the end, it was Jash Modi! The Maharashtra boy rose to the occasion, clinching gold for Maharashtra.

Selena’s unshakable composure, even in the tensest moments, was her greatest weapon in the gold medal match against second-seed Swastika Ghosh of Maharashtra. Trailing 1-5 in the decider, she expertly shifted the pace, unsettling a nervous Swastika and turning the tide in her favour. With three golden points in her hand, Selena saw her opponent save two before an unforced error handed her the victory. She acknowledged her triumph with a trademark smile and a sportsmanlike handshake.

Before that, Selena had surged to a 2-0 lead, only to let Swastika claw back and take control at 3-2. Her natural affinity for backhand play initially worked against her, as she stuck to fast-paced rallies that played into Swastika’s strengths. But just when the Maharashtra paddler seemed poised to dominate the decider, Selena’s cool-headed tactical shift slowed the game down, disrupting Swastika’s rhythm. The strategy paid off, forcing errors from her opponent and sealing a well-earned gold for the Tamil Nadu star.

The men’s semifinals produced a thrilling spectacle, with G. Sathiyan and Jash Modi battling through intense, high-stakes encounters to outlast P.B. Abhinand of Tamil Nadu and Payas Jain of Delhi. The matches were fiercely contested, with momentum swinging wildly, especially in the second semifinal, which went down to the wire.

In the all-Tamil Nadu clash, Sathiyan started strong, claiming the opening game. However, Abhinand, undeterred by his opponent’s experience, mounted a spirited fightback. The second game turned into a war of attrition, with both players pushing each other to the limit before Abhinand edged it 20-18. As the match progressed the two continued to trade blows, each refusing to yield. With the scores locked at 2-2, Sathiyan displayed his composure under pressure, eking out a crucial fifth-game win by the narrowest of margins. That proved the turning point, as he stormed through the sixth game with authority, closing out the match 4-2 to book his place in the final.

Meanwhile, in Table 3, Jash and Payas engaged in an electrifying duel, captivating spectators with their relentless rallies and attacking flair. Neither player gave an inch, and at 2-2, the outcome was anyone’s guess. Sensing an opportunity, Jash made a tactical adjustment, opting for more precise, calculated shots to disrupt Payas’ rhythm. His strategy paid dividends, as he edged ahead 3-2. But Payas, known for his aggressive style, wasn’t done yet. He came out firing in the sixth, levelling the match at 3-3 and setting up a dramatic decider. With everything on the line, Jash kept his nerve, capitalizing on a few unforced errors from Payas to clinch the final game and seal his spot in the championship match.

In stark contrast, the women’s semifinals lacked the drama of their male counterparts, with both matches proving one-sided. Tamil Nadu’s Selenadeepthi was in complete control against Maharashtra’s Pritha Vartikar. Pritha started nicely by winning the first game but struggled to handle Selena’s well-disguised variations. The second game was a marathon, stretching to 16-14, but Selena’s resilience saw her through. That win broke Pritha’s momentum, and from there, Selena dominated, taking complete command of the match to register a 4-1 victory.

The second semifinal followed a similar script, as Maharashtra’s No. 2 seed Swastika Ghosh barely broke a sweat against unseeded Shriya Anand of Tamil Nadu. Though Shriya played with aggression and intent, Swastika’s experience and superior shot selection kept her comfortably ahead. Even when Shriya attempted to force the issue, Swastika remained unfazed, systematically dismantling her opponent’s resistance to clinch a straight-forward victory and march into the final.

WB pair bags gold

In the mixed doubles final, West Bengal’s Anirban Ghosh and Sutirtha Mukherjee staged a dramatic comeback to secure the gold medal against Maharashtra’s Chinmaya Somaya and Reeth Rishya. The Bengal duo got off to a disastrous start, struggling to find their rhythm and falling behind 0-2. But instead of crumbling under pressure, they recalibrated their strategy, focusing on a more structured and coordinated approach. The shift in tactics turned the tide, as they clawed their way back to level the match at 2-2. The deciding game was a tense affair, with both pairs locked in a battle of nerves. Ultimately, Anirban and Sutirtha held firm in the crunch moments, edging out their opponents in a close finish to claim a well-earned title.

Results:

Men’s Singles: Final: Jash Modi (Mah) bt G. Sathiyan (TN) 7-11, 6-11, 11-7,11- 8, 14-12, 6-11, 11-6.

Semifinals: Sathiyan bt P.B. Abhinand (TN) 12-10, 18-20, 11-3, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4; Jash bt Payas Jain (Del) 7-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9.

Women’s Singles: Final: Selena Deepthi Selvakumar (TN) bt Swastika Ghosh (Mah) 11-7, 11-2, 6-11, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9.

Semifinals: Selena bt Pritha Vartikar (Mah) 7-11, 16-14, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6; Swastika bt Shriya Anand (TN) 11-7, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6.

Mixed Doubles: Final: Anirban Ghosh/Sutirtha Mukherjee (WB) bt Chinmaya Somaiya/Reeth Rishya (Mah) 10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-2.

Semifinals: Anirban/Sutirtha bt Jash Modi/Taneesha Kotecha (Mah) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9; Chinmaya/Reeth bt Raegan Albuquerque/Swastika Ghosh (Mah) 12-10, 11-6, 11-5.