Itahari, May 10

Ratnajit Tamang and Nabin Shrestha of Tribhuvan Army Club, Bikash Shrestha of Bhojpur and Nepal APF Club’s Dipesh Dhami advanced to the men’s singles semi-finals of the seventh Pushpalal Memorial National Badminton Tournament here at the Itahari Badminton Academy courts today.

Nepal No 1 shuttler Tamang defeated Jeevan Acharya of Nepal Police Club 21-8, 21-8 to make it to last four, while his TAC teammate Nabin Shrestha beat APF’s Sajan Krishna Tamrakar of APF 15-21, 21-10, 21-18.

Likewise, former national champion Bikash Shrestha won the match after NPC’s Bishnu Katuwal pulled put in third set on medical grounds while trailing 21-19, 14-21, 2-1. And Shami reregistered a 21-13, 21-14 victory over Praful Maharjan.

In women’s singles category, TAC duo Nangsal Devi Tamang and Rashila Maharjan advanced to the semis along with Jhapa’s Jessica Gurung and Sunaina Mukhiya. Tamang defeated Bhojpur’s Sita Rai 21-13, 21-10, while Maharjan beat Shova Gauchan of APF 21-7, 21-16.

Similarly, Gurung came from a set down to beat TAC’s Any Maya Rai 13-21, 21-11, 26-24, whereas Mukhiya defeated another TAC shuttler Anita Giri 21-17, 21-19. Tamang will now face Gurung, while Maharjan will play against Mukhiya in semi-finals.

In U-19 boys’ singles, Sunil Joshi of Zest Badminton, Rukesh Maharjan and Praful Maharjan of TAC, and Sunsari’s Pranish Singh Thakuri made it to the semi-finals.

In girls’ section, Jessica Gurung of Jhapa, Rashila Maharjan of TAC, Shishu Panta of Morang and Rose Pandey and Sima Rajbanshi of Birat Badminton advanced to the last four.