In a display of remarkable skill and resilience, the men's table tennis team from Nagpur University emerged victorious at the West Zone Inter-University Championships held in Jaipur on Friday. The four-member squad delivered a commanding performance in the final, sweeping arch-rivals Pune University with a clean 3-0 scoreline to claim the coveted zonal title.
A Hard-Fought Path to Glory
The road to the championship was not without its challenges. The Nagpur paddlers faced a stern test in the quarterfinals against Marwadi University from Rajkot, Gujarat. In a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire, the team rallied splendidly to secure a narrow 3-2 victory, showcasing their fighting spirit early in the tournament.
Building on that momentum, Nagpur University then overcame Nanded University with a 3-1 score in the semifinals. This win set the stage for a highly anticipated summit clash against their traditional rivals, Pune University.
Dominant Performance in the Final
The title match saw Nagpur's players rise to the occasion with exceptional individual performances. Shounak Shinde set the tone for his team, staging a fantastic comeback after dropping the first game. He defeated Pune's Bhargav with a score of 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, giving Nagpur a crucial early lead.
Aadi Chitnis then doubled the advantage, securing a solid 11-8, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7 win over Neil Muley. The championship was sealed by Aarush Galpalli in the third outing, who triumphed in a thrilling five-game marathon against Aditya Johari (11-9, 11-9, 13-15, 5-11, 11-5), completing the 3-0 rout.
Eyes Now Set on the National Stage
The West Zone gold medal has earned Nagpur University a direct entry into the forthcoming All India Inter-University championships, where they will compete against the best university teams from across the nation. The winning team comprised Shounak Shinde, Aadi Chitnis, Aarush Galpalli, and Jayesh Kulkarni, under the guidance of coach Ajay Kamble.
The achievement was celebrated by the university's administration. Nagpur University Vice Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar, Registrar Raju Hiwase, Director of the Department of Sports and Physical Education Sambhaji Bhonsale, and Ashutosh Potnis extended their congratulations to the champion team and their coach for bringing glory to the institution.
Detailed Results:
Quarterfinals: Nagpur University bt Marwadi University 3-2.
Semifinals: Nagpur University bt Nanded University 3-1.
Final: Nagpur University bt Pune University 3-0.
