Kathmandu, June 21

Ratnajit Tamang and Nangsal Devi Tamang of Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC) lifted the titles of fifth Pushpalal Memorial National Ranking Badminton Tournament today.

In the men’s singles final, Ratnajit defeated Bikash Shrestha of Bhojpur 21-17, 21-18 to lift the title for the fourth time in a row. Shrestha had won the first edition. The organisers handed over Yamaha R15 to Ratnajit for completing a hat-trick of titles. Tamang also received Rs 44,500 as prize money, while Shrestha pursed Rs 34,000.

In women’s section, Nangsal thumped fellow TAC teammate Anu Maya Rai 21-10, 21-9 to lift her maiden title. Nangsal received Rs 41,000, while Rai bagged Rs 31,000. Meanwhile, Nepal Badminton Association felicitated Puja Shrestha of Nepal APF Club with a scooter worth Rs 190,000 for her contribution in Nepal Badminton. Shrestha is a five-time national champion.

In men’s doubles final, Ratnajit teamed up with Nabin Shrestha to defeat the fellow TAC pair of Dipesh Dhami and Suroj Maharjan 21-15, 21-15, while Puja Shrestha and Bina Tulachan of APF beat the TAC duo of Nangsal and Amita Giri 21-12, 21-15 in women’s section.

In U-17 boys’ section, Chiran Bista and Megha Chand claimed the titles. Bista edged p0ast fellow Kanchanpur shuttler Sunil Joshi 19-21, 21-7, 21-17, while Chand beat her TAC teammate Jessica Gurung 21-17, 11-21, 21-12.

In veteran doubles final, Subash Shrestha/Bhumi Gurung of TAC beat Nabin Babu Shrestha/Shyam Parajuli 24-22, 21-19. Nepal Olympic Committee President Jeevan Ram Shrestha and President of Nepal Badminton Association Ramji Bahadur Shrestha handed over the prizes to the winners.