Gangwani rallies to clinch snooker title
MUMBAI: Vile Parle Gymkhana’s Divesh Gangwani rallied to beat Sanjiv Bijlani of Park Club 4-2 in the best-of-7-frame final of the BSAM Grassroot Snooker Challenge at the Garware Club House here on Friday.
Gangwani lost the first two frames and trailed 0-2, but he recovered well to win next four frames in succession to clinch a 26-76, 19-66, 63-19, 68-60, 64-14 and 60-17 victory and claim his maiden title. “I am very excited to win today as this is my first big success. It’s the first time I have won a snooker title and it makes me proud,” a delighted Gangwani said after the win.
Having enjoyed a good journey in the competition, Gangwani was unable to settle down quickly and found going touch initially. Bijlani who showed his mettle with some brilliant wins in the earlier rounds, started positively and grabbed the first two frames to race to a 2-0 advantage.
That seemed to be the perfect wake up call for Gangwani and he responded strongly by craftily compiling a break of 40 to win the third frame and cut the deficit. Having gained in confidence Gangwani went onto snatch a tight fourth frames to level scores. That win proved to be the turning point as there was no looking back for the JVPG cueist as thereafter he grabbed every opportunity to take control and with another break of 43 won the fifth to take a 3-2 lead and then also pocketed sixth to complete a satisfying win.
CROWNING GLORY FOR CHINMAYA, VIDHI
Chinmaya Somayia bagged the youth as well as the junior boy’s singles titles in the Khar Gymkhana 5 Star Mumbai Suburban District table tennis tournament. Vidhi Shah emerged winner in the women’s singles category, beating Diya Chitale 11-8, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the final. The men’s singles final was won by Ravindra Kotian, the current men’s state champion, who defeated Chinmaya top seed 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 11-3, 7-11, 11-8 in a thrilling final.
ST BLAISE ADVANCE INTO SEMI-FINALS
St Blaise ‘A’, Amboli advanced into the semi-finals of 31st Interparish 5-a-side Rink Football Tournament after beating Our Lady of Salvation ‘B’, Dadar 3-2 here on Friday. Immaculate Conception entered the final of the Ladies Open after beating Bandra Packers Blue 1-0.
Results (semi-finals): Lade Open: IC United, Borivali 1 (Angeline Anthony) bt Bandra Packers Blue 0.
RESULTS (Quarter-finals) : Men Open: Immaculate Conception ‘B’, Borivali 5 (Calvin Pereira 3, Oneil D’souza 2) bt Holy Family ‘A’, Andheri 2 (Mathias Coutinho, Winston D’silva ); St Blaise ‘A’, Amboli 3 (Jason Miranda, Kirsten Gonsalves , Danzel Fernandes ) bt Our Lady of Salvation ‘B’, Dadar 2 (Troy D’souza , Craig D’souza ).