Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 27: Mangesh Pandit bagged his maiden district title, while former state champion Ayesha Mohammed won the women’s crown, in the Bombay YMCA Mumbai District Ranking Carrom Tournament.
Playing their maiden District final, Pandit of MLWB ended the winning streak of Rajesh Khedekar of BMC 25-11, 25-13 in a men’s final that had its fair share of thrills.
“I think I played a decent game. I was a bit nervous since Rajesh was in brilliant form in the previous three rounds where he shocked Rahul Solanki and Dilesh Khedekar. It was not an easy victory and it could have been anybody’s match,” explained Trombay lad Pandit.
“I was confident, but Mangesh played better. I missed some easy shots and paid the price,” reasoned Khedekar who works in the BMC’s Garden department at ‘D’ Ward, Nana Chowk.
Ayesha Mohammed of AK Foundation overcame former national champion and nine-time state champion Anupama Kedar of Bank of India 25-16, 25-6 in the women’s championship round that witnessed a tight opening game.
“I am delighted because I have won a District title after a long hiatus,” said former SAARC and seven-time state champion Ayesha. “I played well and everything went according to plan. The first game was close and when I won the (eight and) last board my confidence grew. I made it difficult for Anupama and she missed quite a few easy shots. Had she played the way she did in the semi-finals, it would have been tough for me.”
“I don’t know what happened after playing the semi-finals so well. The first game was close but in the second I missed some easy shots. Ayesha was accurate, but I’m glad I reached a final after a long time,” said Anupama Kedar.
Results: Men: Final: Mangesh Pandit (MLWB) bt Rajesh Khedekar (BMC) 25-11, 25-13.
Semi-finals: Rajesh Khedekar (BMC) bt Suhas Pomendkar (Reliance) 25-14, 25-10; Mangesh Pandit (MLWB) bt Santosh Jadhav (BMC) 12-25, 25-10, 25-11.
Women: Final: Ayesha Mohd. (AKF) bt Anupama Kedar (BoI) 25-16, 25-6.
Semi-finals: Ayesha Mohd. (AKF) bt Preeti Khedekar (PCDA) 14-25, 25-15, 25-14; Anupama Kedar (BoI) bt Shaila Jadhav (LIC) 25-8,