Kathmandu, December 9

Nepal Police Club’s Shyantu Shrestha and Nabita Shrestha won the singles titles of the iMPACT Thamel Open Table Tennis Championship here today.

In men’s category final, national champion Shyantu Shrestha came from a set down to beat his NPC teammate Deep Saun 4-1. Shrestha recorded a 7-11, 13-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9 victory over two-time national champion Saun. Shrestha had defeated Saun to win the maiden title in the seventh National Games last year and become national champion.

Earlier, Shrestha, who remained unbeaten in the tournament, saw off Nepal APF Club’s Purushottam Bajracharya 4-1 in the Qualifier and advanced the final. Similarly, Saun outplayed Shiva Sundar Gothe of APF 4-1 in the Eliminator before beating Bajracharya 4-1 in the second qualifiers to secure a place in the final.

In women’s category final, Nabita Shrestha thrashed her sister-in-law and NPC teammate Alina Maharjan 4-1. National champion Shrestha took first two sets 11-9 and 11-12 before Maharjan cut the deficit by claiming the third 12-10. However, Shrestha won the fourth set 11-9 and sealed the victory with a 11-8 win in the fifth set.

In the Qualifier, Shrestha defeated Tribhuvan Army Club’s Swechha Nembang 4-1 and advanced to the final, while Maharjan beat TAC’s Dikshya Tamang 4-1 in the Eliminator. Tamang then recorded a 4-1 win against Nembang in the second qualifier to confirm her meeting with Shrestha.

Top three players in both categories got Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, APF’s Samyog Kapali and TAC’s Dikshya Dahal won U-16 gold medals. In boys’ final, Kapali beat his APF teammate Alex Maharjan 13-14, 13-11, 11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8. Diken Maharjan of Yala Spin beat Bodhit KC of TAC 4-3 to finish third.

In girls’ section final, Dahal saw off Smriti Panta of Bajra Union 11-7, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. APF’s Anju Suwal beat Maria Thapa Magar of Ping Pong Superstar 4-1 to finish third. Top three players in age-group sections earned Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

After the finals of the singles events, seven clubs are contesting in the mixed team event which is being played under round robin format.  Top four teams will make it to the playoffs after league round. The event is organised by iMPACT Sports Management under the sponsorship of Huawei Nova 2i.