Veteran Shuttlers Excel with Double Crowns at G D Birla Memorial Masters
The G D Birla Memorial Masters Inter-Club badminton tournament, promoted by Badminton Gurukul, concluded with a spectacular display of skill and endurance at the Bombay Gymkhana on Sunday. Experienced players Mangrish Palekar, Manoj Nachanekar, and Naheed Divecha emerged as the stars of the event, each securing double crowns in their respective categories.
Manoj Nachanekar's Hard-Fought Victories
Manoj Nachanekar faced a formidable challenge in the professional singles final against Rahul Bhuvad. After a grueling three-game battle, Nachanekar triumphed with scores of 21-12, 16-21, 21-18. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he then partnered with Bhuvad in the professional doubles final. The duo staged an impressive comeback after losing the first game, ultimately defeating Kalpesh Pednekar and Sanjay Golbare 20-22, 22-20, 21-17.
Mangrish Palekar's Dominant Performance
Mangrish Palekar showcased exceptional prowess by winning two doubles titles. First, he teamed up with Vikrant to claim the 45 men's doubles crown, overpowering Sushant Shetty and Vishal Manchanda with a decisive 21-14, 21-11 victory. Palekar then joined forces with Deepak Jaitley to secure the 85+ men's doubles title, defeating Nigel D'Sa and Rohan Radhakrishnan 21-10, 21-13.
Palekar's flawless performance throughout the tournament earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. Notably, he was the only competitor who did not lose a single game or match, underscoring his dominance on the court.
Naheed Divecha's Impressive Double Win
Naheed Divecha also achieved a double victory, starting with the 75+ women's doubles alongside Aparna Popat. The pair defeated Palkan Dave and Shweta Thakur 21-13, 21-18. Divecha continued her winning streak by lifting the UNI doubles title with Shailesh Daga, overcoming Bibhash Chatterjee and Rajesh D'Souza in a thrilling three-game match that ended 21-17, 15-21, 21-11.
Team Championships and Tournament Highlights
In the team events, P J Hindu emerged as the Champion Club after defeating Goregaon Sports Club 2-1 in the Elite Division. Meanwhile, Vanita Samaj Tigers clinched the Plate title with a 2-0 victory over WCG Team White.
The tournament results are as follows:
- MD 85+ Final: Deepak Jaitly / Mangirish Palekar [1] bt Nigel D'Sa / Rohan Radhakrishnan [2] – 21-10, 21-13
- UNI Doubles Final: Naheed Divecha / Shailesh Daga [1] bt Bibhash Chatterjee / Rajesh D Souza [2] – 21-17, 15-21, 21-11
- MD 45 Final: Mangirish Palekar / Vikrant bt Sushant Shetty / Vishal Manchanda – 21-14, 21-11
- WD 75+ Final: Aparna Popat / Naheed Divecha [1] bt Mrs Palkan Dave / Shweta Thakur [2] – 21-13, 21-18
- Professional Singles Final: Manoj Nachanekar [1] bt Rahul Bhuvad – 21-12, 16-21, 21-18
- Professional Doubles Final: Manoj Nachanekar / Rahul Bhuvad [1] bt Kalpesh Padekar / Sanjay Golbare [2] – 20-22, 22-20, 21-17
- Team Championship 2026 Final: PJ Hindu bt Goregaon Sports Club A 2-1 (Elite); Vanita Samaj Tigers A bt WCG Team White 2-0 (Plate)
The event concluded with a ceremony honoring the champions, including women's doubles winners Naheed Divecha and Aparna Popat, alongside Gautam Ashra, Secretary Badminton 45, and Supriya Devgun, Founder and MD of Badminton Gurukul.
