Mumbai’s Golden girl Diya Chitale shines with silver medal in Belgium

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai, April 24: Mumbai’s young talented paddler Diya Chitale continued with her fine showing by adding the Cadet Girls’ singles silver medal to the Cadet girls’ team gold medal she had won earlier, in the Belgium Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championship, which is part of the ITTF World Junior Circuit, according to information received, here, on Monday.

The 14-year-old Diya, who had played a crucial role by winning both her singles matches which helped India to the gold medal victory in the cadet girl’s team championship, carried that consistent form to the singles event. The third seed Diya put up a gallant performance and enjoyed an excellent run to the final, before going down fighting to top seed Am y Wang of the USA in four games in the title clash.

The energetic Mumbai lass started promisingly against the American top seed and pocketed the opening game 11-8 to grab the initiative. But, somehow, she was unable to keep up the momentum in the second which she lost quite tamely at 2-11. Thereafter, Diya put up a spirited fight and managed to keep pace, but the American managed to win the next two games by close margins and clinch an 8-11,11-2,11-9,11-8 triumph.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Diya prevailed over Emine Ernst of The Netherlands winning 3-1 (11-5,11-9,12-14,11-2), while Amy overcame Hungary’s Anita Drabant 3-1 (11-5,8-11,11-9,14-12).

There was more joy for the Indians as they bagged their eighth bronze medal when Himnakulhpuingheta Jeho reached the semi-final round of Cadet Boys’ singles but lost to Belgium's Nicolas Degros 1-3  (10-12,11-8, 6-11, 3-11). India finished with a rich haul of two golds, one silver and eight bronze medals.