(From left) Tawahid Ali Talukdar, Rajiv Kalita and Manjit Sarma of Asomiya Pratidin in Guwahati on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, May 27: Ritu Raj Konwar of Assam Photo Journalists Association annexed the men’s singles crown and Asomiya Pratidin retained the team event title in the Arabinda Buragohain Trophy media badminton tournament at Kanaklata Indoor Stadium here today.

The Assam Sports Journalists Association organised the tournament as part of the ongoing 1st Airtel North East Media Sports Festival.

A former champion, Konwar defeated Hildul Gogoi of Janambhumi 11-6, 11-3, in the singles final. Though the match was expected to be a close contest, Konwar dominated right from the word go with his trademark agility and superb shuttling skills against the athletic Gogoi.

Earlier, in the one-setter semi-finals, Konwar prevailed over Ranadeep Kakoti of Janambhumi 21-10 and Gogoi ousted Simanta Bhagawati of Assam Tribune 21-13.

In the team event, defending champions Asomiya Pratidin overcame Assam Photo Journalists Association 2-1 in the final.

In the one-setter singles, Rajib Kalita of Pratidin defeated Biju Boro of APJA 21-10 in the first court while Ritu Raj Konwar of APJA levelled it 1-1, defeating Tauhid Ali Talukdar 21-10 in the other singles. In the deciding one-setter doubles match, Kalita teamed up with Manojit Sarma to defeat the APJA tandem of Konwar and Boro 21-13.

In the semi-finals played yesterday, the lensmen prevailed over Dimapur Press Club 2-1 and Pratidin outplayed strong opponents Imphal Press Club 2-1.

Altogether 44 shuttlers participated in the open singles and 13 teams battled it out for the team title.

The women’s court also witnessed three participants, among whom Darshana Goswami won the title defeating both her opponents Prarthana Hazarika and Chayamoni Bhuyan of NewsLive in the league tournament yesterday. The cricket tournament of the festival will commence tomorrow at Nehru Stadium. Hosts Assam Sports Journalists Association will meet Agartala Press Club in the lung opener in the morning.

Altogether 19 teams will compete for the honours.