Colombo, April 12 (NationPress)  India achieved a remarkable second-place finish at the ITF Asia Under-14 Development Championships Finals held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from March 29 to April 10, 2026. This impressive performance allowed Puneeth Manohar and Srishti Kiran to qualify for the prestigious 2026 Wimbledon U-14 Championships.

The tournament saw participation from 14 nations over the course of two weeks, with India finishing as runners-up to Chinese Taipei after a strong showing in Week 1.

The Indian team featured a talented group from Karnataka, including Srishti Kiran, Padmapriya Ramesh Kumar, and Puneeth Manohar, along with Taanish Nanda from Punjab. Their consistent performances in both singles and doubles contributed significantly to their overall points.

Puneeth Manohar emerged as a key player, clinching the boys’ singles title in Week 1. He staged a remarkable comeback from a set down to defeat Hong Kong’s Him Wong with scores of 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the final, saving a match point in the process. He later secured the runner-up position in boys’ doubles during Week 2.

On the girls’ side, Srishti Kiran showcased her talent by reaching the finals in both weeks, finishing runner-up twice. She faced defeat in the Week 1 final against Chinese Taipei’s Ke-Chieh Hsu and also claimed the runner-up spot in girls’ doubles in Week 1.

Padmapriya Ramesh Kumar and Taanish Nanda contributed significantly as well. Padmapriya teamed up with Srishti to take the runner-up position in girls’ doubles in Week 1, while Taanish finished as runner-up in boys’ doubles during Week 2, notably defeating top seed Frans Ethan of Indonesia en route to the singles semi-finals.

Due to their exceptional performances, the Karnataka trio has also been selected for the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP)/ ITF/ ATF Europe U-14 development team.

Reflecting on her success, Srishti stated, “It is always a privilege to represent India. Qualifying for Wimbledon is a dream realized, and I am eager to compete on grass at such a renowned venue. Receiving my medals in the presence of Sunil sir, who made time to be there, made it even more special.”

Puneeth expressed his joy, saying, “I am incredibly happy and proud to have qualified for the U14 Wimbledon event. Playing on such a prestigious stage has always been a dream, and this opportunity means a lot to me. The hard work, training, and support from my coaches and family have made this moment unforgettable.”

The ITF Asia U-14 Development Championships, organized by the International Tennis Federation in collaboration with the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), is recognized as the highest level of competition for this age group in the region, spanning two weeks with separate draws and titles.

Sunil Yajaman, Hon. Joint Secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association, commented on the achievement: “It is a proud moment to witness our players deliver such exceptional performances at top-tier regional events. I extend my congratulations on their remarkable achievements. Securing multiple podium finishes and qualification for Wimbledon highlights their immense potential and the growing prominence of Indian tennis on the international stage.”