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Officials of Nagaland Badminton Association with the winners of the championship and others after the prize distribution ceremony in Pfutsero on Sunday evening. (EM Images)[/caption]
Pfutsero, Aug 12: The four-day long event of the 42nd Nagaland Inter District & State Open Badminton championship concluded here at the Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Pfutsero on Sunday evening.
18 year old Leihong of Mon and Shekhotolu Puro of Phek district emerged as the champions of their respective men and women singles category.
Leihong easily beat last year runners up Ankur Sangpang Rai of Kohima 21-9, 21-13 in the final match to claim the men's championship title. While Leihong also took the U-19 title by beating her rival Bentilo Kath in the final match.
Shekhotolu Puro beat Ekumyala of Kohima in the women's single to claim the title.
A home advantage with the crowds behind gave Shekhotolu her confidence to win the first set 21-17.
Yala made a comeback in the second set winning 21-11 as she regained some momentum.
But a hard fought Puro managed to come back in the third set to win 21-17.
In the women's doubles, Bendangnaro and Imlirenla of Nagaland Police earned their title by a hard fought 19-21, 21-18, 21-17 win over Dimapur's duo Chubanungla and Yashikala to emerge as the champions.
While veterans Joseph Sumi and Raju of Nagaland Police overpowered Imliwapang Tzudir and Imnatoshi Longkumer of Kohima in the third set 21-16, 25-27, 21-15 to win the men's doubles.
In the mixed doubles final, Nagaland Police's Raju and Uma overcame Ankur Sangpang Rai and Ekumyala of Kohima in the final match to take the title by 18-21, 21-19, 22-20.
Heoka Swu, eight years (10 months and 26 days) of Dimapur was the youngest player and Bendangnukshi of Dimapur the oldest in the championship.
413 players from 11 districts including Nagaland Police turned up for the championship. The tournament was organised by Nagaland Badminton Association (NBA) and hosted by Phek District Badminton Association.
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Shekhotolu Puro receiving the prize from Kezhienyi Khalo during the prize-distribution ceremony.[/caption]
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Leihong of Mon receiving the prize from Kezhienyi Khalo during the prize-distribution ceremony at the indoor multipurpose stadium in Pfutsero on Sun. Aug. 12.[/caption]