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Maiden National title for Ilavazhagi

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: V. Ganesan

DREAM DAY: Yogesh Pardesi and I. Ilavazhagi pose with their trophies.

CHENNAI: I. Ilavazhagi saved the blushes for Tamil Nadu by winning the women’s singles title, the lone success for the host in the 37th National carrom championship which concluded here on Thursday.

The reigning SAARC champion, Ilavazhagi won her maiden National title by beating her regular rival Rashmi Kumari of BSB 13-25, 25-14, 25-4.

At the last National in Kolkata, Rashmi had stopped the Tamil Nadu girl in the semifinal. Not only did Ilavazhagi avenge that defeat, but did it in style with a black slam in the third game that had the gathering cheering her all the way.

Tentative beginning

The talented player, still searching for a job, had begun on a tentative note, losing the first game because of Rashmi’s ability to keep a tight control on the coins.

“She did not allow me many openings,” Ilavazhagi said of that game. But the Chennai girl regained her touch in the second game and never looked back.

Pardesi triumphs

In the men’s section, Yogesh Pardesi of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board earned his first National title at the expense of Hyderabad’s R.D. Dinesh Babu (CCSB) 25-0, 25-1 to cap a fine show in the National.

“When I beat M. Nataraj in the quarterfinals and another strong player Arokiaraj in the semifinals, my confidence grew. I knew I had a chance,” said the player from Pune, who was the centre of attention in the Maharashtra camp after his success.

K. Kanimozhi, MP was the chief guest and gave away the prizes. For the first time, cash prizes were offered in the National and both the winners pocketed Rs. 1 lakh each.

Other results: Men: Semifinals: Yogesh Pardesi (PSPB) bt R. Arokiaraj (BSB) 25-11, 25-1; R.D. Dinesh Babu (CCSB) bt K. Ramesh Babu (PSPB) 12-25, 25-16, 25-24; Quarterfinals: Ramesh bt Prakash Gaekwad (LIC) 25-2, 16-25, 25-20; Dinesh bt Raju Baisare (IAAD) 25-24, 21-10; Pardesi bt M. Natarj (IA) 15-25, 25-21, 25-23; Arokiaraj bt Zaheer Pasha (Kar) 25-8, 25-4.

Women: Semifinal: Rashmi Kumari bt Ayesha Mohd (Mah) 25-24, 25-22; Ilavazhagi bt D. Swarnalatha 25-16, 25-11; Quarterfinals: Rashmi bt R. Sharmila (IAAD) 25-2, 25-1; Ayesha bt Barsha Barna (Asm) 25-0, 25-19; Swarnalatha (IAAD) bt P. Nirmala (LIC) 25-14, 9-25, 25-22; Ilavazhagi bt S. Apoorva (LIC) 15-25, 25-14, 25-19.

Veterans: Final: Men: Babulal Srimal (Mah) bt Shamji Padaya (Mah) 25-23, 15-25, 25-17. Women: D. Savithri (Hyd) bt Preeti Talekar (NABARD) 25-10, 20-25, 25-0.

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