The Hindu : Sport / Table Tennis : Shamini snares gold

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 19, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Table Tennis

Shamini snares gold

K. Keerthivasan

GUWAHATI: K. Shamini and Subhajit Saha justified their top billings in the table tennis singles event of the 33rd National Games, which came to a close at the Tarunram Phookan Indoor Stadium here on Sunday.

Tamil Nadu's Shamini survived a scare in the fifth game before prevailing over Vishikha Vijoy of Rajasthan 11-9, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 24-22 to bag her maiden Games crown.

Subhajit Saha of West Bengal quelled a spirited challenge from State-mate Anirban Nandi 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 to clinch the men's gold.

Cruising ahead after taking a 3-1 lead and leading 10-7 in the fifth game, Shamini should have closed out the match.

But in her anxiety to finish the rally, Shamini gifted away a lot of points.

Crucial timeout

What perhaps turned the tide in favour of Vishikha was the timeout she took while trailing 7-10 in the fifth game.

Thereafter, the 24-year-old, playing in her third National Games and second final, used her experience to good effect to make a comeback before the top-seed went on to triumph on her 10th match point.

"I was excited and just wanted to finish the match," said Shamini of the longest game of the tournament.

The difference

In the men's summit clash, Nandi's backhand top-spin proved to be the decisive factor as he took the first two games in quick time.

Subhajit's ploy of slowing down the pace and putting more balls into play worked.

National champion Saha has improved his top-spin shots and he won key points in the seventh and deciding game on that alone.

Motivating factor

With the National championship coming up, Saha said the victory, his first from four attempts from the National Games, would be a good motivation.

The results (finals): Men: Subhajit Saha (WB) bt Anirban Nandi (WB) 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6.

Women: K. Shamini (TN) bt Vishikha Vijoy (Raj) 11-9, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 24-22.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport