Nikkita enters pre-quarterfinal in Sub-Junior Badminton Nationals

NAGPUR:

Nikkita Joseph

sailed into the U-13 girls singles pre-quarterfinals in the 31st Sub Junior (U-13 and U-15) National Badminton Championships being played at Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday.

Twelve-year-old Nikkita, who is the only city shuttler to qualify for this end of the season tournament, started off well and booked her place in the last 16. In the second round on Saturday, tenth seed Nikkita ousted Andrea Sarah Kurien of Kerala 21-16, 21-11 in just 18 minutes.

Continuing her fine form, Nikkita thumped Punjab’s Arunima Pal 21-7, 21-11 in the third round within 20 minutes. She will now play with fourth seed Tasnim Mir of Gujarat for a place in the final eight.

In the U-13 girls doubles, fourth seeds Nikkita and Manya Avlani (Mumbai) will take on Pranjal Sharma and Unnati Jaral of Jammu and Kashmir in the second round on Monday.

The pair of Nikkita and Manya had a bye in the first round. A student of Modern School, Koradi, Nikkita trains under Chetak Khedikar.

Meanwhile, three

Nagpur shuttlers

Rasika Raje, Vaishnavi Bhale and Rashi Lambe have been given seedings in the

All India Senior Ranking Badminton

tournament beginning in Sikkim on Monday.

Rasika has been given the second seeding in the women’s singles. Goa’s Anura Prabhudesai will be the top seed. Vaishnavi will be the fifth seed, while her practice partner Rashi has been given eighth seeding.

New pair Vaishnavi and Anura will be third seeds in the women’s doubles. Rashi will be playing for the first time with Raj Kumar Chander in the mixed doubles.