Gopichand’s son Sai Vishnu is sub-junior national champion
December 5, 2018, Hyderabad
Following the footsteps of his illustrious father Pullela Gopichand and sister Gayatri, 14-year-old Sai Vishnu became the new national champion in the sub-junior category.
Vishnu won the title defeating Sai Satya Sarvesh in straight games 21-14, 21-19 in the under-15 final of the Sub-Junior National Badminton Championships in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Vishnu’s sister Gayatri had won many national titles and international medals in the junior category. She is on the brink of upgrading to the senior category.
Vishnu had done well in the doubles events along with Pranav Rao Gandham. But this is his first major title in the single category.
Vishnu, who is lucky to train with the likes of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, knocked out top seed Sankar Muthuswamy 21-13, 21-17 in the semifinals. He accounted for fourth seed Pranav Shar in a hard fought pre-quarterfinal match 21-16, 20-22, 21-14.
Top seed Tasnim Mir won the girls under-15 singles title with a 21-14, 21-12 victory against Sakshi Phogat. Rohan Gurbani claimed the boys’ under-17 title. The No.1 seed downed fifth seed Shubham Patel 21-12, 27-25.
Aditi Bhatt defeated Janani Ananthakumar 21-14, 21-18 to clinch the girls’ under-17 singles championship.
