Badminton player wins singles in state tourney

Times of India 


VADODARA: This 16-year-old badminton player from the city has added another award to his list of accomplishments. Saurabh Shinkhede clinched the singles and doubles titles at the fifth open Gujarat State Major Ranking Tournament held at Mundra in The Mundra Port Cup 2010. Saurabh will now be representing the state at the forthcoming national sub-junior tournament to be held at Hyderabad.

Saurabh gave tough competition in the finals to Rohan Shah from Ahmedabad and won the singles 30-29 and 21-16. In doubles Saurabh paired with Rohan and defeated Abhishek Rawat and Laksh Baria from Bharuch.

"With the singles title in his kitty, Saurabh will now represent state at national tournament in Hyderabad in the second week of November," said Saurabh's father Sachin Shinkhede.

Saurabh is studying in Class VIII in Navrachana School. He is trained under Jayesh Bhalawala, who is badminton coach with Sport Authority of Gujarat.

"His was a splendid performance. There are several other players from Vadodara who did well at the state-level tournament. Maitri Khatri from the city and another player won the under-13 doubles championship defeating Anaga Moge and Kosha Trivedi representing Vadodara," added Bhalawala.

He also said that in U-10 category Nupur Vasawada and Shruti Joshi from the city may not have won any title at the tournament but both are very talented.