CITY’S pair of Nishika Gokhe and Pranay Gadewar entered quarter-finals in the mixed doubles event of the Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub-Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Badminton Tournament under way at Goa, on Wednesday. The pair eked out wins in two thrilling matches on their way to the Under-17 mixed doubles quarters. In their pre-quarters, Nishika-Pranay defeated Uttar Pradesh combination of Sanrekh Chaurasia and Shruti Chavhan 21-16, 22-24, 21-13.

 

In an earlier match of the day, the Nagpur duo stunned fourth seeded pair of Aathish Sreenivas PV and Aanya Bist. After losing the first game 18-21, Nishika-Pranay did not lose focus and took the next game 21-18 to draw level. In the exciting third and decider game that would have gone either way, Nishika-Pranay held their nerves to emerge winners.

Nishika is a trainee at Sai Khelo India RTMNU Nagpur and trains under NIS coach Jayendra Dhole. She also practices under the watchful eyes of Kunal Dasarwar at DNC. Pranay presently trains at Nikhil Kanetkar Academy in Pune. Director of Sports and Physical Education Department RTMNU Dr Sharad Suryawanshi congratulated the duo and wished them luck.