BADMINTON – NANAMI Someya of Japan and Manraj Singh of India were last night crowned singles champions in the Al Sharif Group Bahrain International Series II 2024, powered by Yonex, which came to a close at Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) in Salmaniya.
Someya secured the women’s singles title after coming back from a game down and making up a four-point deficit late on to beat compatriot Shiori Ebihara 18-21, 21-18, 21-19.
Singh claimed the men’s singles crown with a resounding 21-11, 21-14 triumph over Kavin Thangam Kavin in an all-Indian final clash.
Doubles titles were also won last night as part of the concluding evening’s programme.
Aisha Zhumabek and Dmitriy Panarin of Kazakhstan captured the mixed doubles crown following an 18-21, 21-18, 21-12 win over the Indian tandem of Kona Tarun and Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli.
The Bulgarian pair of Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva won the women’s doubles after beating the UAE’s Taabia Khan and Mysha Omer Khan 21-6, 21-8 in their final; while Christian Bernardo and Alvin Morada from the Philippines defeated Indians Vimalraj Annadurai and Mauryan Kathiravan 21-14, 21-15 to bag the men’s doubles championship.
Following all the action, the winners were awarded their respective trophies and medals in podium ceremonies attended by Bahrain Badminton and Squash Federation (BBSF) president Dr Sawsan Taqawi, who is also the Arab Badminton Federation president and a Badminton Asia vice-president.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Bahrain Wijeratne Mendis was also on hand.
In yesterday’s women’s singles final, after splitting the first two games, world number 231 Someya fell behind to Ebihara, who is ranked 295th globally, 14-18, in the third game. But she showed her fighting spirit and roared back, scoring six straight for match point. And then after Ebihara won the next rally, Someya was not to be denied as she sealed the contest with a clever net poke.
“I am very happy to win,” Someya told the GDN following her victory. “I told myself that I can do it.
“Shiori is on the same team as me, and every day we practice together, so I know what I needed to do to beat her.
“It is my first time in Bahrain, and It is a very nice country. The level of the players we faced here was high, so it feels very good to win.”
In the men’s singles, Singh lived up to his billing as the 160th-ranked player in the world against his compatriot, closing things out against 308th-ranked Kavin in two games.
“I very much enjoyed this competition,” Singh told the GDN. “I like the courts, and there are also many Indians here so I like the culture and the food, and I felt the very strong support.
“The crowd gave a great boost and to meet all the fans was nice.”
Singh’s win prevented Kavin from claiming back-to-back championships in the kingdom. He previously won the men’s singles title in the Bahrain International Series 2024 held last week at The Indian Club.
“I didn’t have any big expectations coming into this tournament, just taking it one match at a time,” Kavin said. “All the matches have been tough these past two weeks, so I feel that it was a good test for me, especially for my fitness.
“This is my first time in Bahrain, I really loved the organisation and the country. A huge thanks to the supporters. We had a large crowd over here and it felt like playing at home.”
Following their mixed doubles win, Zhumabek expressed her delight with her maiden experience in the kingdom.
“The people are so good and I really like Bahrain,” she said. “The organisation in this tournament was also very good, and the players showed some great badminton.
“I came here to get some ranking points, and I’m very happy with our results. I want to try to come back, even if it is not to play – just to come and enjoy.”
The Al Sharif Group Bahrain International Series II 2024, powered by Yonex, was held under the patronage of the BBSF. It was sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation under the regional Badminton Asia confederation.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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