National Badminton Championship: Surya Charishma Stages Comeback to Clinch Women's Singles; Rithvik Edges Bharat for Men's Title

Fueled by fervent hometown backing, Surya Charishma Tamiri orchestrated a stunning turnaround against Tanvi Patri, as Rithvik Sanjeevi S edged Bharat Raghav to claim the women's and men's singles crowns at the Senior National Badminton Championships on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Vijayawada prodigy triumphed 17-21, 21-12, 21-14 over Tanvi in a pulsating women's singles showdown, while Rithvik sealed a tense 21-16, 22-20 verdict in the men's title decider.

The women's final-pitting the crowd's darling against Tanvi's bid for youngest-ever senior glory-delivered edge-of-the-seat drama across 58 riveting minutes, with momentum swinging wildly.

Tanvi dictated terms mid-first game, baiting Surya into a flurry of miscues. A game-changer unfolded at 6-5 in the

second: Surya's netted smash return was nullified by a service judge's height fault call, igniting her resurgence.

She unleashed a seven-point blitz to seize the frame. In the breaker, Surya grinded Tanvi down with marathon exchanges, exposing the prodigy's fatigue. Tanvi dug deep but faltered, as Surya stormed home with six unchallenged points from 15-14.

Rithvik masterminded the men's final through ironclad defending and unflappable poise against Bharat Raghav. He dominated the first game effortlessly, but Bharat pounced to a 9-5 bulge in the second.

The 2024 Odisha Masters champion countered ferociously, snatching six in a row to flip the script. Victory loomed until two misreads sparked Bharat's rally to a championship point. Rithvik regrouped masterfully, adhering to his blueprint to conquer the 39-minute battle.

Veteran pair Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K ruled women's doubles, toppling second seeds Priya Devi Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra 21-14, 21-18. Top-seeded Hariharan Amsakarunan and R. Ruban Kumar steamrolled Mithileish P. Krishnan and Prejan 21-17, 21-12 for the men's doubles gold.

Earlier, second seeds Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma ambushed top seeds Ashith Surya and Amrutha P 21-9, 21-15 to snatch mixed doubles honors.

Championship Results

Women's Singles: Surya Charishma Tamiri (d. Tanvi Patri 17-21, 21-12, 21-14)

Men's Singles: Rithvik Sanjeevi S (d. Bharat Raghav 21-16, 22-20)

Women's Doubles: Shikha Gautam & Ashwini Bhat K (d. Priya Devi Konjengbam & Shruti Mishra 21-14, 21-18)

Men's Doubles: Hariharan Amsakarunan & R. Ruban Kumar (d. Mithileish P. Krishnan & Prejan 21-17, 21-12)

Mixed Doubles: Sathwik Reddy K & Radhika Sharma (d. Ashith Surya & Amrutha P 21-9, 21-15)