The Chhattisgarh boys' team secured the overall third position at the 4th National Shuttlecock Championship 2025-26, concluding their campaign with an impressive haul of one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. The three-day tournament, held at the Guru Gobind Singh Ji Indoor Stadium in Nanded, Maharashtra, concluded on Sunday with intense competition across various categories.
Final Day Highlights
The final day brought a mix of results for the Chhattisgarh contingent. In the youth boys' doubles category, the pair of Ashutosh Pandey and Nikhil Prajapati faced a tough challenge from Haryana. The Chhattisgarh duo started aggressively, winning the first set 11-08. However, Haryana fought back in the second set to win 09-11, leveling the match. Maintaining their tactical advantage, the Haryana players took the deciding third set 7-11 to secure the gold, leaving Chhattisgarh with the silver medal.
Triples Event
In the triples event, the Chhattisgarh team comprising Chandrashekhar Yadav, Ashutosh Pandey, and Nikhil Prajapati narrowly missed out on a podium finish. They lost a hard-fought encounter 2-1 to Haryana, despite putting up a strong performance. The match showcased the skill and determination of the Chhattisgarh players, but Haryana's experience proved decisive in the crucial moments.
Overall Performance
Despite the final-day losses in the team events, individual performances across various categories ensured that Chhattisgarh secured the overall third-place trophy in the boys' division. The team's consistency throughout the tournament, with medals in multiple events, highlighted their depth and talent. The gold medal won earlier in the championship, along with the silver and bronze medals, contributed to their final tally.
The achievement is a testament to the growing popularity of shuttlecock in Chhattisgarh and the dedication of the players and coaches. The state's performance at the national level bodes well for the future of the sport in the region.
