Kathmandu, December 5

Nepal No 1 shuttler Ratnajit Tamang registered two victories and advanced to the men’s singles quarter-finals of the Sunrise Yonex Nepal International Series here today.

Tamang came from a set down to defeat India’s Naveen 20-22, 21-17, 21-16 in the pre-quarters. Earlier in the round of 32 match, Tamang outplayed Tejraj Pulto of Mauritius 21-9, 21-8.

Two other Nepali shuttlers, Bikash Shrestha and Bijeet Thapa Magar faced defeats in round of 16. Shrestha lost 21-14, 21-15 at the hands of Vietnam’s Cao Cuon Pham, while Thapa Magar faced a 21-16, 21-14 defeat against Anthony Joe of Australia.

Dhinuka Karunaratna of Sri Lanka, Teck Zhi Shoo of Malaysia and Kaushal Dharmamer of India also made it to the last eight. Karunaratna beat India’s Karan Chodhary 21-16, 21-19; Shoo outplayed another Indian shuttler Ameya Oak 21-19, 21-12; and Dharmamer defeated Goh Giap Chin of Malaysia 21-14, 21-19.

In mixed doubles, Nepali pair Dipesh Dhami and Shova Gauchan — who had won silver medal in previous edition — advanced to the quarter-finals with a 21-10, 21-12 victory over Salman Mohammad Khan and Alina Sultana of Bangladesh. They will face Danny Bawa Cgrisnanta and Wei Han Tan of Singapore.

Also, Bijeet Thapa Magar and Pooja Shrestha also secured their place in last eight. They beat Philip Discher of Germany and Sashina Vignes Waran of France 18-21, 21-15, 21-13 and will play against Thailand. Bikash Shrestha and Sita Rai became the third Nepali pair in mixed doubles quarter-finals after they defeated Banglasdeshi duo Ahmed Mohammad Thoif and Nabeeha Razzaq 23-21, 21-19. Another Nepali pair, Ratnajit Tamang and Nangshal Tamang — who had a first round bye — lost to Thailand players in the second round

In men’s doubles, Tamang teamed up with Dhami to make it to the last eight. They beat Vazid Ali and Ayush Garg of India 21-13, 21-19 to set the quarter-final date against Thailand. Seven other Nepali pairs lost their matches in the first round.

In women’s singles, four Nepali shuttlers lost in the first round. Top player Nangshal Devi Tamang faced a 21-14, 21-16 defeat at the hands of Iran’s Soraya Aghaeihajiaagha, while Anu Maya Rai lost 21-6, 21-10 against Thet Htar Thuzar of Myanmar. Likewise, Jessica Gurung went down 21-11, 21-7 against Rashi Tyagi of India, while Sit Rai could earn a total of 10 points in her 21-7, 21-3 defeat against Thailand’s Chananchida Jucharoen.