Sayali, Arvind emerge champions

Sayali Gokhale from Pune and Bangalore’s Arvind Bhat emerged champions at the National Badminton Championships in Indore on Wednesday. Both lifted their maiden titles.

Bhat beat P Kashyap 21-19 21-14 while Gokhale held off PC Thulasi of Kerala 21-17 16-21 21-13. Jwala Gutta took two doubles titles, in the mixed (with V Diju) and the women’s doubles (with Shruti Kurien).

While Bhat was expected to win, given his top seeding and international form, Sayali was one among many that were in line for the crown. Fellow Puneite Trupti Murgunde was the favourite in the absence of No. 1 Saina Nehwal and No. 2 Aditi Mutatkar.