Bhargav somasundara

Badminton Senior National Team Championships: Maharashtra and Airport Authority of India (AAI) stamped their authority with power-packed performances to clinch the women’s and men’s team titles respectively in the 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championships 2023 at the RG Baruah Sports Complex, here on Tuesday.

The prestigious national championships, organised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), are being held in Assam after four years. The dominant AAI team appeared in both the men’s and women’s team finals and managed to clinch the title in the former category as they outclassed Karnataka 3-0.

Tharun Mannepalli started AAI’s challenge aggressively in the final when he thrashed Bhargav Somasundara 21-18, 21-18 in the opening singles match. Maisnam Meiraba then doubled the lead with a 22-20, 16-21, 21-11 win against Raghu Mariswamy in the second singles contest which lasted nearly an hour.