Who Claimed the Phoenix Mixed Pairs Title at the Winter National Bridge Championship?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a thrilling display of strategy and competition, Usha Kabra and Gopinath Manna have clinched the Phoenix Mixed Pairs title at the 67th Ashok Ruia Memorial Winter National Bridge Championship, proving their mettle among a diverse pool of talented players. Their victory has added a new chapter to the prestigious event held in Kolkata.
Key Takeaways
- Usha Kabra and Gopinath Manna won the Phoenix Mixed Pairs title.
- They scored 82.78 IMPs in the competition.
- The championship is held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
- The event included 55 pairs competing for the title.
- Team Mohota is leading in the Open Team Event.
Kolkata, Dec 5 (NationPress) Usha Kabra & Gopinath Manna showcased exceptional skill to secure the Phoenix Mixed Pairs title with 82.78 International Match Points (IMPs) during the ongoing 67th Ashok Ruia Memorial Winter National Bridge Championship at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, Kolkata.
In a competitive field of 55 pairs, Deepa Jacob & Prosenjit Manna finished as runners-up with 64.34 IMPs.
Other notable finishers in the top ten included -- Aditi Javeri & Biswajit Poddar in third place, Ramani Menon & Jenish Shah fourth, Monica Jajoo & Sumit Mukherjee fifth, Soham Sarkar & Kalpana Gurjar sixth, Kamna Sharma & Abhijit Pal seventh, Kiran Nadar & Buchiraju Satyanarayana eighth, Keyzad Anklesaria & Vidhya Patel ninth, and Madhur (Daisy Singh) & Badal Das completing the top ten.
Meanwhile, the Open Team Event for the Ashok Ruia Memorial Gold Cup, recognized as the premier team competition in the nation, along with the Silver Cup category for lower-ranked players, commenced on Friday.
Leading the charge among the 28 top teams is Team Mohota, featuring Anurag Mohota, Basant Mohota, Biswajit Poddar, and Sambhunath Ghosh, who secured 56.65 Victory Points (VPs) at the conclusion of the third round.
A total of eight rounds will occur before the top 16 teams advance to the knockout stages.
The inaugural Winter National Championship took place in 1959 in Bombay, featuring the Ruia Trophy and Holkar Open Pairs.
The Ruia Trophy, a symbol of bridge excellence in India, was established in 1959 to honor the late Shri Ram Niwas Ruia. It is awarded to the champions of the Team of Four in the Winter National Bridge Championship. Both the winning team and runners-up qualify for the Indian Selection Trials. Since 2005, the trophy has been known as the Ruia Gold Trophy. In recent years, two simultaneous events for Team of Four have been held, introducing an additional title - the Ruia Silver Trophy.
Point of View
It's evident that the Winter National Bridge Championship continues to uphold its legacy by showcasing top-tier talent. Usha Kabra and Gopinath Manna’s victory underscores the vibrant bridge community in India, which thrives on competition and camaraderie. This event not only promotes the sport but also honors its rich history, making it a highlight in the national calendar.
NationPress
05/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Phoenix Mixed Pairs title?
The Phoenix Mixed Pairs title is a prestigious award given to the winning pair in the mixed pairs event during the Winter National Bridge Championship.
Where is the Winter National Bridge Championship held?
The Winter National Bridge Championship is held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, Kolkata.
How many pairs participated in this year's championship?
This year's championship saw participation from a total of 55 pairs.
What is the significance of the Ruia Trophy?
The Ruia Trophy is awarded to the Team of Four champions at the Winter National Bridge Championship and is considered a symbol of bridge supremacy in India.
Who are the notable teams in the current championship?
Notable teams include Team Mohota, which is currently leading with 56.65 Victory Points.
