Portugal: Promising Indian table tennis star Manav Thakkar gave another account of his abilities by winning two gold medals in the 2018 Portugal Junior and Cadet Open at Portugal.
Overall, the Indian paddlers put up a superb display to bag eight medals, including two gold, two silver and four bronze in the junior categories. Manav led the way by first winning the junior boys singles and then partnered Manush Shah to clinch the junior boys doubles title.
Interestingly, both the junior boys and doubles were all-Indian affairs. However, Manav had to dig deep in the singles as both his semi-final and final opponents made the Under 18 World No. 3
sweat for every point.
While compatriot Snehit Suravajjula tested Manav’s patience before going down 3-4 in the semis, Jeet Chandra put up a gallant display in the final before losing 3-4. While Manav prevailed in the semis 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4, he won the final 11-5, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9.
Jeet and Snehit continued to torment Manav in the junior doubles final as well. But Manav banked on his experience and able support from Manush to win 3-2 (11-7, 11-6, 13-15, 7-11, 11-6).
Jeet, thus, had two silver medals for his fighting displays in the two finals, sharing the second medal with Snehit.
India’s challenge in the Junior girls singles was limited to the semi-final stage as both Selena Selvakumar and Swastika Ghosh lost their last four round battle and had to settle for a bronze medal each.
While Selena, the U1-8 World No. 45, lost 8-11, 16-18, 8-11, 3-11, Swastika, ranked three places below, went down 13-11, 11-3, 11-6, 12-10. Selena had to be content with another bronze in the junior girls’ doubles. Partnering Marie Chapet of France