Aakarshi Kashyap overcomes Malvika Bansod to clinch India Junior International title

Aakarshi Kashyap overcomes Malvika Bansod to clinch India Junior International title

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16-year-old shuttler Aakarshi Kashyap has defeated Malvika Bansod 21-13 21-19 in a final that lasted for 37 minutes, to win the India Junior International title in Pune on Sunday. After the win, Kashyap has reaffirmed her position as one of the most promising upcoming shuttlers in the country.

While the summit clash was a pretty straightforward affair for Kashyap, the road to the final was not smooth. Her first-round match against Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani went down to the wire, lasting 65 minutes before she won 21-19, 13-21, 21-16. Her second match, however, was a lot easier where she beat Thailand’s Pornpicha Choeikeeowong 21-14, 21-5.

It was followed by yet another straightforward quarter-final win against compatriot Unnati Bisht, where she won 23-21, 21-14. However, her easy run ended there as she was up against the fifth-seeded Qi Xuan Eoon, and the duel lasted 55 minutes before the Indian emerged victorious beating Eoon 21-16, 12-21, 21-17. That was her baptism by fire as the final looked like a cakewalk after that.

Apart from the women’s title clash, all other finals of the India Junior International were contested by Indonesian players. Top seed Ikhsan Leonardo Rumbay won the men’s singles title after defeating Christian Adinata 21-13, 21-14. Metya Inayah Cindiani and Febby Valencia Dwijayanti Gani clinched the trophy in the women’s doubles category.

On the other hand, Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin grabbed the men’s doubles trophy. Pramudya Kusumawardana Riyanto and Ribka Sugiarto bagged the mixed doubles title.

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