Hinganghat Industrialists Keep Vidarbha Hopes Alive in National Bridge Championship
The All India Open National Ranking Point Bridge Tournament, currently underway at the Institution of Engineers hall in Nagpur, has seen local teams face early exits, but a resilient partnership from Hinganghat has emerged as the region's beacon of hope. Organized by the Vidarbha Bridge Association under the Bridge Federation of India, this prestigious four-day event boasts a substantial prize pool of Rs 10,35,000, attracting top talent from across the country.
Nagpur Teams Bow Out in Dramatic League Clashes
In the highly competitive Team of Four event, where contenders vie for the coveted Manohar Tarkunde Cup, the Nagpur challenge concluded prematurely after intense league-round battles on the tournament's second day. Nagpur Vi managed a narrow victory over Spartans by a mere 0.9 points, with a score of 83.19 to 82.29, securing their spot in the pre-quarterfinals alongside the Vidarbha outfit. However, both Nagpur teams faltered in the knockout stage, leading to their elimination from the team event.
The Vidarbha team, comprising VJ Puranik, RP Deshpande, MM Luley, MN Dutta, and RV Saboo, suffered a decisive 46-83.5 defeat against Kanha in the pre-quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Nagpur Vi was overwhelmed by Tornatae with a score of 56-120, following a particularly poor performance in the third session. This marked the end of the home teams' journey in the round of 16, shifting focus to other local contenders.
Father-Son Duo from Hinganghat and Nagpur Deliver Under Pressure
Amidst the setbacks, the father-son duo of Basant Kumar Mohota and Anurag from Hinganghat, along with their Kolkata partners Biswajit Poddar and Shambhu Nath Ghosh, showcased exceptional skill and composure. Representing Team Mohota, they clinched a tight seven-point victory over Delhi Blues, with a final score of 80-73, to advance to the quarterfinals of the team event. This performance has positioned them as key contenders, keeping Vidarbha's aspirations alive in the national tournament.
Match Point Pairs Tournament Kicks Off with Local Success
Following the completion of the eight-round league stage in the team event, the Match Point Pairs tournament for the Vijay Josan Cup commenced on Friday afternoon in an adjacent hall. A total of 54 pairs participated, with the losing quarterfinalist teams set to join the second elimination round on Saturday.
In this segment, Nagpur's father-son duo of Raja and Amit Rewatkar excelled, finishing at the top of the table after the first elimination round. Over four sessions, the Rewatkar pair accumulated an impressive 732.20 points, securing the numero uno position. They were closely followed by Sanjib Bhattacharjee and Sanjib Ganguly, who gathered 712.10 points, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the tournament.
Key Results from the Pre-Quarterfinals
The tournament has witnessed several thrilling matches, with notable results including:
- Kanha defeating Vidarbha 83.5-46
- Tornatae overpowering Nagpur Vi 120-56
- Mohta edging out Delhi Blues 80-73
- Eisk beating Deepadhaar 83-63
- Team Burzen triumphing over Sarlafibers 95-47
- Dhampur Sugar Mills prevailing against Bangur Cement 86-78.5
- SD Associates securing a win over EA Bridge 59-38
- Vedic overcoming Rampage 72-65.5
As the tournament progresses, all eyes remain on the Hinganghat duo and other local stars as they strive for national glory in this high-stakes bridge competition.
