Joshna Chinappa becomes national champion for record-equalling 16th time
Joshna Chinappa was crowned as the national champion for a record 16th time after she defeated compatriot Urwashi Joshi 9-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-5 on Sunday. Chinappa, who is the youngest national champion, equalled the previous women's record of 16 titles that Bhuvaneswari Kumari had won in the past.
The youngest player to win the national championship, Chinappa has played a mind-blowing 18 staggering finals and lost just two of them. The latest of them being the women’s singles event at the national championships in New Delhi. Â
Joshna won quite comfortably even though Urwashi Joshi of Maharashtra did surprise her by taking the first game. In the end, Joshna emerged as the indisputable winner in the match in the women’s category event in the capital. Last night’s victory will serve as a boost next year when Chinappa can set a new record for the highest number of wins in the national championship.
Meanwhile, in the men’s category, Mahesh Mangaonkar won his maiden title as he edged past Vikram Malhotra 11-4, 13-15, 11-2, 5-11, 15-13 in final on the weekend. The Mumbai-born athlete was made to work hard for that win as he had to battle it out with Vikram in a five-set thriller. Luck was on Mahesh’s side as his opponent failed to grab all three match points that came his way in last night’s game.
