State TT: Divya claim twin titles
November 9, 2019, Pune
Playing eleven matches in a day and emerging victorious in all of them is not an easy task, but Diya Chitale made it look easy as she was not tired at all. Divya clinched two individuals titles – junior and women in the 50th inter-district championship and 81st Maharashtra State Table Tennis Championship that concluded at Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex in Balewadi, Pune.
The Mumbai-based player first defeated home favourite Pritha Vartikar 11-7, 17-15, 11-8, 11-8 before overcoming Srushti Haleangadi 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9 in women’s section. Diya will be taking part in the World Junior Table Tennis Championship in Korat, Thailand, from November 24. What started as a hobby, the 16-year-old now dedicates five-six hours every day for table tennis practice and also trains for six months in Germany every year.
Diya’s forte is her forehand shot and she used it to beat Pritha who plays an attacking game. Forehand top spin trapped Pritha on numerous occasions and she surrendered thereafter.
Junior girls: Diya Chitale (MSD) bt Pritha Vartikar (PNA) 11-7, 17-15, 11-8, 11-8. Women: Diya Chitale (MSD) bt Srushti Haleangadi (MSD) 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9.
