Krishna Dekaraja

JUNIOR NATIONALS

Guwahati, Nov. 30: Assam’s most promising shuttler, Krishna Dekaraja, today completed a hattrick by winning the under-19 singles crown for the third straight time at the Indian Oil-sponsored 28th junior national badminton championships at Dadoji Konddeo Stadium in Thane.

Krishna, who figured in three finals, came from behind to beat Saina Nehwal of Andhra Pradesh 5-11, 13-12, 11-5 this afternoon. She beat Aparna Balan of Kerala 11-1, 11-5 yesterday.

It was sweet revenge for the Assam girl, who had lost to Nehwal in the team event 10-13, 13-10, 11-3. Nehwal is considered the best among the present lot of junior players in the country.

Krishna teamed up with her statemate, Bahniman Bora, to grab the mixed doubles. The Assam duo — both OIL employees — defeated Nishad Dravid and Dhanya Nair of Maharashtra 15-7, 15-9.

Defending champion Bora lost to eventual Anand Pawar in the semi-finals 6-15, 9-15. Today, Pawar beat Nishad Dravid in an all-Maharashtra boys’ final.

Krishna had to taste defeat when she and Rimi Hazarika lost the girls’ doubles final to Aparana Balan and Nehwal 12-15, 9-15. The Assam duo had beaten Deepti Ranja and Poonam Tiwari 15-4, 15-6 in the last four.

Krishna capped a fine run in the meet by the Assam team, coached by Rup Buragohain. The boys won the team title, while the girls finished second.

The boys’ team, comprising Bahniman Bora, Rajeeb Goswami, Anshuman Hazarika and Ankur Baruah, lifted the Narang Cup beating hosts Maharashtra 2-1 in the finals.

Anshuman Hazarika played a key role in the victory beating none other than eventual singles champion Pawar 12-15, 15-13, 15-1 in the second singles after Bahniman took the first against Aditya Chitre 15-5, 15-11. The Bora-Hazarika duo lost the doubles in straight games.

The girls went down 0-2 to Nehwal-inspired Andhra Pradesh in the final. Assam had beaten Haryana in the semi-finals.

In the boys’ doubles, Rajeeb Goswami and Anirban Chetia missed a final berth losing to T. Dinesh and Sarat Chandra of Andhra Pradesh 15-5, 15-8 in the last four.