Ajita Ravindran Triumphs in Thrilling G D Birla Badminton Singles Final
Synopsis
In a gripping final at the G D Birla Memorial Inter-Club Badminton Tournament, Ajita Ravindran showcased her resilience against Pooja Jhalani, securing the Women’s Singles 45+ title after a fierce battle. The tournament featured unexpected upsets and impressive performances across various categories.
Key Takeaways
Ajita Ravindran demonstrated outstanding perseverance to win the Women’s Singles 45+ title.
The tournament witnessed unexpected upsets among top seeds.
Strong performances were noted across all categories, particularly in the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
The event highlighted the competitive spirit of badminton in Mumbai.
Mumbai, April 14 (NationPress) Ajita Ravindran exhibited remarkable determination and tenacity in a tightly contested match against Pooja Jhalani, ultimately claiming victory in three games to secure the Women’s Singles 45+ title at the G D Birla Memorial Inter-Club Badminton Tournament, organized by Badminton Gurukul and held at Bombay Gymkhana in Mumbai on Tuesday.
After a narrow loss in the first game, which ended 24-26, Ajita fought back to take the second game 21-19. The final game saw both athletes battling fiercely for every point, with Ajita clinching the win 21-18, marking a well-earned triumph.
In the Men’s Doubles 110+ division, the pair of Bibhash Chatterjee and Shiv Thakur delivered an impressive performance, overcoming the top-seeded team of Gautam Laud and Shailesh Daga in straight games, finishing 21-12, 21-15.
In the Men’s Singles 45+ category, Vikrant Karanjkar showcased his skills by defeating top seed Sachin Bharati with a scoreline of 21-6, 21-19. Meanwhile, in the Mixed Doubles 80+ event, Hemant Duggal and Shweta Thakur achieved one of the most lopsided victories in the finals, triumphing over Sandeep Mohan and Tejasvi Sawant Desai with scores of 21-10, 21-4.
The semifinals of the G D Birla Memorial Masters Inter-Club Badminton Tournament saw a shocking turn of events for many seeded players on Monday.
The top two seeds in the women’s singles 45+, Priya Ambekar and Namita Mehta-Vijayakar, were both eliminated in unexpected matches. Priya succumbed to Pooja Jhalani with a score of 6-21, 13-21, while Namita fought valiantly before losing in three games, 14-21, 21-15, 11-21.
Other seeded teams also faced defeats in the Men’s Doubles 110+ and Mixed Doubles 80+ categories. The mixed doubles top-seed pairing of Shailesh Daga and former international player Aparna Popat were ousted by Sandeep Mohan and Tejasvi Sawant, losing 21-14, 19-21, 21-9. Similarly, the second-seeded duo of Shiv Thakur and Naheed Divecha fell to Hemant Duggal and Shweta Thakur with a score of 21-12, 21-16.
Final Match Results
Men’s Doubles 110+
Bibhash Chatterjee/Shiv Thakur bt Gautam Laud/Shailesh Daga [1] - 21-12, 21-15
Women’s Singles 45+
Ajita Ravindran bt Pooja Jhalani - 24-26, 21-19, 21-18
Men’s Singles 45+
Vikrant Karanjkar bt Sachin Bharati [1] - 21-6, 21-19
Mixed Doubles 80+
Hemant Duggal/Shweta Thakur defeated Sandeep Mohan/Tejasvi Sawant Desai - 21-10, 21-4.
Point of View
Particularly in the semifinals where top seeds were unexpectedly eliminated. Ajita Ravindran's resilience is commendable, emphasizing the competitive spirit of this event.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G D Birla Memorial Inter-Club Badminton Tournament?
It is an annual badminton tournament held in Mumbai, featuring various categories and promoting competitive play among clubs.
Who won the Women’s Singles 45+ title?
Ajita Ravindran won the Women’s Singles 45+ title.
What were the final scores in the Women’s Singles match?
Ajita Ravindran defeated Pooja Jhalani with scores of 24-26, 21-19, 21-18.
Which teams excelled in the Men’s Doubles 110+ category?
Bibhash Chatterjee and Shiv Thakur performed excellently, defeating Gautam Laud and Shailesh Daga.
What was significant about the semifinals?
Many top-seeded players were eliminated, leading to surprising outcomes in various categories.
