The 86th Senior National Badminton Championships in Bengaluru witnessed Karnataka’s M Raghu and Haryana’s Devika Sihag emerge victorious in the men’s and women’s singles categories.
Raghu’s triumph was particularly dramatic, as he saved three championship points to defeat Mithun Manjunath 14-21, 21-14, 24-22 in a thrilling final.
Raghu’s Road to Victory
Raghu, who had earlier secured the Egypt International title in 2024, entered the Senior Nationals with a point to prove. Despite not having a high enough ranking for a direct entry, the Karnataka Badminton Association (KBA) recognized his talent and awarded him one of the two spots reserved for the hosts.
This decision proved to be a wise one, as Raghu went on to clinch the coveted men’s singles title. His path to victory was not without its challenges.
In the semi-finals, he faced a formidable opponent in top seed Sathish Kumar, whom he managed to upset. In the quarter-finals, he emerged victorious against Rithvik Sanjeevi, the player who had ended Chirag Sen’s title defense in the third round.
The nail-biting final against Mithun Manjunath, a former champion himself, was a true test of Raghu’s skills and resilience. Manjunath started strong, winning the first game with ease.
However, Raghu refused to back down and dominated the second game, forcing a decider. The final game was a tense battle, with Raghu showcasing exceptional control during net exchanges.
Despite trailing 15-19 at one point, he clawed his way back to level the score at 19-19. Manjunath had a chance to seal the match with three match points, but Raghu displayed nerves of steel to save them all and eventually win the championship.
Devika Sihag’s Stellar Performance
Devika Sihag’s journey to the women’s singles title was equally impressive. She had a successful season leading up to the Nationals, having claimed victories at the Swedish Open and Portugal International tournaments.
In the Nationals, she reached the finals after defeating Shriyanshi V alishetty, who had been on a giant-killing spree, in straight games (21-15, 21-16).
Sihag maintained control throughout the final match, showcasing her dominance against V alishetty. Unlike the men’s singles final, this match was a more straightforward win for Sihag, solidifying her position as a rising star in Indian
badminton.
Other Winners at the Senior Nationals
The 86th Senior National Badminton Championships also saw champions crowned in the doubles categories. Arsh Mohammad and Sanskar Saraswat, junior national champions, bagged the men’s doubles title after defeating top seeds Naveen P and Lokesh V.
In the mixed doubles category, Ayush Agarwal and Shruti Mishra emerged victorious, while Arathi Sara Sunil and V arshini VS triumphed in the women’s doubles category.
The enthralling finals between Raghu and Manjunath marked a fitting conclusion to the Senior National Badminton Championships.
The tournament showcased the exceptional talent and determination of India’s badminton players, with both established stars and rising talents leaving their mark on the competition.
