Manav, Yashaswini win maiden National titles
Manav Thakkar and Yashaswini Ghorpade, both representing the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), clinched their maiden men’s and women’s singles titles at the 87th Senior National Table Tennis Championship here on Saturday.
Even before the finals began at the Abhay Prashal Indoor Stadium, it was clear that new national champions would be crowned in both categories. Top seed Manav lived up to expectations, halting 15th seed Jeet Chandra’s impressive run in the men’s singles final. Moments earlier, eighth seed Yashaswini edged past third seed Syndrela Das in a gripping all-PSPB women’s final that went the distance.
Manav’s consistency proved too strong for Jeet in a contest between two bespectacled paddlers. Though Jeet produced some audacious winners in the third game, Manav maintained control throughout the 35-minute encounter to cross the line without any fuss. After losing his only previous National Championship final seven years ago, Manav, the World No. 33, gave a high-five to his sparring partner Siddhesh Pande for ending his long wait.
The women’s final, in contrast, was a fluctuating contest. Yashaswini relied on her control, particularly with her long-pimpled backhand, while 16-year-old Syndrela showcased her attacking prowess with powerful backhand winners, repeatedly staging comebacks.
At 8-8 in the deciding seventh game, Yashaswini pivoted to her forehand to produce a crucial winner — a moment that proved decisive. The Bengaluru paddler went on to seal a gruelling 75-minute match and celebrated in style with a Ben Shelton-inspired gesture for the second consecutive day.
Earlier, Syndrela had upset defending champion Diya Chitale in a tense semifinal, while Yashaswini progressed comfortably past Suhana Saini.
Along with the trophies and medals, both Manav and Yashaswini received prize money of ₹3.52 lakh each, while runners-up Jeet and Syndrela earned ₹1.76 lakh apiece.
The results: Men’s Singles: Final: Manav Thakkar (PSPB) bt Jeet Chandra (RSPB) 11-2, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9, 11-3.
Semifinals: Manav bt Harmeet Desai (PSPB) 11-8, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6; Jeet bt Ronit Bhanja (RSPB) 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7.
Women’s Singles: Final: Yashaswini Ghoropde (PSPB) bt Syndrela Das (PSPB) 11-6, 12-14, 11-5, 9-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-8.
Semifinals: Yashaswini bt Suhana Saini (Har) 6-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 11-3; Syndrela bt Diya Chitale (RBI) 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 3-11, 13-11.
Mixed Doubles: Final: Ankur Bhattacharjee (WB) & Suhana Saini (Har) bt Aniket Bose & Sampriti Roy (WB) 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 13-15, 12-10.
Semifinals: Aniket & Sampriti bt Ronit Bhanja & Kaushani Nath (RSPB) 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7; Ankur & Suhana bt Akash Pal & Poymantee Baisya (RSPB) 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9.
Published – March 21, 2026 07:40 pm IST
