Bibari Basumatary

Dibrugarh, Sept. 14: Having bagged a triple crown at the OIL-Northeast Inter-State Badminton Championships, which concluded here last evening, Assam’s leading women shuttler Bibari Basumatary has set her sights on the Senior Nationals to be held in Guwahati next January.

With only three months left, Bibari feels hosts Assam will do well because of the home advantage.

“I know that there is very little time left now for the Senior Nationals, which will be the real test for our shuttlers, but we will have to utilise whatever time is left. I am hopeful that I will be able to do well,” Bibari told The Telegraph today.

Bibari, who had led the state’s women’s squad which defeated Meghalaya 2-0 to win the Chadha Cup for women in the team’s event, also won the women singles in the open category defeating Pizza Bharali, also from Assam, 21-8, 21-9.

Bibari teamed up with Abantika Deka to win the doubles crown defeating Rimi Hazarika and Bharali 21-13, 21-10.

The men’s singles champion in the open category, Joseph Sumi of Nagaland, is also hoping to give his best in the national meet.

Opens results: Men’s doubles: Suranjan Bhuborah & Dibyajyoti Bora (Assam) beat Anirban Chetia & Nikhilesh Sarma (Assam) 21-16, 5-2 (retd); Women’s doubles: Bibari Basumatary & Abantika Deka (Assam) beat Rimi Hazarika & Pizza Bharali (Assam) 21-13, 21-10; Junior Boys’ singles: Angshuman Bora (Assam) beat Nikhilesh Sarma (Assam) 21-18, 17-21, 21-17; Junior Girls’ singles: Kaberi Phukon (Assam) beat Prangana Barua (Assam) 21-16, 21-8; Junior Boys’ doubles: Ranjan Buragohain & Anjan Buragohain (Assam) beat Nikhilesh Sarma & Angshuman Bora (Assam) 22-20, 21-13; Junior girls’ doubles: Kaberi Phukon & Roselina Begum (Assam) beat Prangana Barua & Mridusmita Phukon (Assam) 21-12, 21-18; Senior mixed doubles: Dibyajyoti Bora & Abantika Deka (Assam) beat Anirban Chetia & Kristi Das (Assam) 21-18, 19-21, 21-15; Junior mi-xed doubles: Nikhilesh Sarma & Mridusmita Phukon (Assam) beat Lalrinzuali & Laltanpuia (Mizoram) 21-19, 21-14.