Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 6: Hosts Jammu and Kashmir had to contain themselves with a bronze medal after the star studded team lost to Tamil Nadu in the semi-finals of men's above 40 age category in the ongoing 17th Veteran National Table Tennis Championships, organized by the J&K Table Tennis Association at Indoor Complex, M A Stadium, here today.
The well fought semi-final was decided in the fifth game in the best of five match with world veteran doubles champion, Ajay Sharma losing to Kalyana Raman of Tamil Nadu 3-2 (6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 14-12, 5-11).
Earlier, Pankaj Sharma won both his matches to level the match score at 2-2 shouldering the responsibility on Ajay to make the state proud by winning the thriller. However, Ajay did his job by playing superb game but the patient Kalayana controlled his nerves with utmost cool forcing the opponent to commit mistakes.
Levelled at 2-2, Ajay lost the deciding set 5-11 and the match also. The score: 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 14-12, 5-11.
Earlier, Satbir Singh lost to A Q Jawahar 0-3 and Ajay Sharma was beaten by R Rama Chandran in straight sets.
The results were quite contrary to the expectations of the home crowd, who in fact had relied on Ajay, who lost both his matches and Pankaj Sharma, who was no more in the picture, won both his matches in the afternoon.
However, J&K gave an exceptional performance against defending champions, Delhi beating latter in the quarterfinals.
The second day of the championships witnessed end of the team events in all the four age categories of men and two in women section. To give away the prizes to the winners and runners-up of team events, Minister for Sports, R S Chib was chief guest.
In men's above 40 category, the winners trophy went to Assam who beat Tamil Nadu in the final. Third place was shared by Maharashtra and J&K being the semi-finalists.
Other Final Resutls
Team Event: Women Plus 40: Maharashtra, Ist; West Bengal, 2nd ; Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, joint third. Women Plus 50: Maharashtra-A, Ist; Maharahstra-B, 2nd ; Karnataka and Chattisgarh, joint third. Men Plus 40: Assam, Ist; Tamil Nadu, 2nd ; J&K-A and Maharshtra-C, joint third. Men Plus 50: Maharahstra-A, Ist; Maharahstra-B, 2nd ; Delhi and West Bengal-B, joint third. Men 60 Plus:Andhra Pradesh, Ist; Madhya Pradesh, 2nd; Tamil Nadu-A and Chandigharh, joint third. Men Plus 65: Maharashtra, Ist; Andhra Pradesh-A, 2nd; Gujarat-A and Delhi, joint third.
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