In a display of badminton prowess, Maharashtra and Airport Authority of India (AAI) emerged as champions at the Yonex-Sunrise 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championships 2023 in Guwahati. The event, organized by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), witnessed thrilling battles in both the men’s and women’s team events.
AAI dominated the men’s final, securing a 3-0 victory against Karnataka. Tharun Mannepalli set the tone with a commanding win in the opening singles match, followed by a resilient performance from Maisnam Meiraba. The men’s doubles duo of Alap Mishra-Ravikrishna sealed the title with a thrilling victory, closing the contest 21-11, 16-21, 21-19.
In the women’s team event final, Maharashtra showcased their prowess by defeating AAI 3-0. Shruti Mundada, Alisha Naik, and the doubles pair of Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker delivered impressive performances. Mundada’s hard-fought victory in the opening singles match set the stage for Maharashtra’s triumph.
Team events overshadow individual achievements, potentially downplaying the significance of star shuttlers. This raises questions about the balance between celebrating team victories and recognizing individual talents in badminton championships.
The stage is now set for the individual events, commencing with star shuttlers like BWF World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen, seasoned Sameer Verma, Aakarshi Kashyap, and local favorite Ashmita Chaliha competing for coveted titles. The finals of the individual events are scheduled for Sunday.
