Kathmandu, November 15

Three shuttlers from Tribhuvan Army Club and one from Nepal APF Club advanced to the semi-finals of the Yonex Sunrise eighth Pushpalal Memorial National Badminton Tournament here at the NSC covered hall today.

In the men’s singles category, Armymen Ratnajit Tamang, Rukesh Maharjan and Nabin Shrestha made it to the last four along with APF’s Dipesh Dhami. In men’s section, Tamang defeated Nepal Police Club’s Nir Bikram Devkota 21-17, 21-18 to set the semi-final date with fellow TAC shuttler Maharjan, who beat another NPC player Bishnu Katuwal 21-16, 21-19.

Likewise, Shrestha registered a 21-19, 21-11 victory over Bikash Shrestha of Bhojpur, while APF’s Dhami beat Silk Group’s Prince Dahal 21-16, 22-20. Shrestha will face Dhami for a place in the final.

In women’s section, TAC duo Nangsal Devi Tamang and Rashila Maharjan entered the last four along with Shova Gauchan and Jessica Gurung of APF. Tamang defeated Samjhana Sharma of Banke 21-12, 21-8, while Maharjan beat fellow TAC shuttler Ranjana Bhattarai 21-14, 21-13. APF’s Gauchan defeated TAC’s Anu Maya Rai 21-17, 21-19 and will face Tamang in the semi-finals. Defending champion Gurung came from a set down to register a 19-21, 21-15, 21-11 victory over TAC’s Amita Giri and will face another Army shuttler Maharjan.

In U-17 boys singles, Prince Dahal of Silk Group defeated JB Saud of Kailali 21-7, 21-9 to make it to the semi-finals, while Priyansu Singh Chhetri of Zest Badminton Academy beat Himanshu Kunwar 21-11, 21-18.

Likewise, TAC’s Diwas Shankar came from a set down to beat Kailali’s Amrit Chaudhary 19-21, 21-11, 21-13, and Pemba Sherpa of Zest outplayed Kanchanpur’s Himal Chand 21-11, 21-13.

In girls’ section, TAC duo Rashila Maharjan and Ranjana Bhatta advanced to the semi-finals along with Morang’s Rose Pandey and Sima Rajbanshi. Maharjan defeated Zest’s Dimona KC 21-2, 21-4, while Bhatta beat Jhapa’s Anjana Rai 21-16, 21-15. Likewise, Pandey outplayed Zest’s Smriti Rai 21-5, 21-13, and Rajbanshi registered a 21-8, 21-9 victory over Bina Bista of Kanchanpur.

In men’s doubles, APF pairs of Dipesh Dhami/Bijit Thapa and Gautam Kadayat/Sunil Joshi made it to the last four along with TAC’s Rukesh Maharjan/Praful Maharjan and Ratnajit Tamang/Nabin Shrestha. In women’s doubles, TAC pairs of Anu Maya Rai/Amita Giri and Nangsal Tamang/Rashila Maharjan advanced to the semi-finals along with APF’s Puja Shrestha/Jessica Gurung and Sita Rai (Bhojpur) and Samjhana Sharma (Banke).