Sport - Squash

Anaka clinches title

PROUD MOMENT: Anaka Alankamony came up with a fine show to triumph.

CHENNAI: Anaka Alankamony did herself and India proud by winning the girls’ under-15 title in the Asian junior individual squash championship, which concluded in Busan, South Korea on Sunday.

Cyrus Poncha, the National coach, who is with the team, said, “It was a terrific performance by Anaka.”

Anaka defeated Hong Kong’s Ho Ka Po in straight games 9-6, 9-6, 9-5.

The scoreline does not portray the fight the Indian exhibited initially before ensuring the winning path, according to Poncha.

Down 1-6 in both the first and second games, Anaka clawed back with some brilliant hard drives and delicate drops.

The Indian was pushed around the court and to all corners by Ho Ka Po. Anaka not only withstood the strain, but prevailed over her opponent in both the games.

Her confidence grew and in the third game, after leading 5-1, she cruised to victory.

This is Anaka’s eighth international title.

A delighted Anaka dedicated her win to all those who supported her at the ICL Academy, her parents, her sponsors and her school authorities.

Anaka’s was the lone success for India after Mahesh Mangaonkar and Dipika Pallikal, who too were in the final, failed to grab the titles.

Mahesh, competing in the boys’ under-15 section, met with an uphill task against top-seeded Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan who gave him very little chance while carving out a straight-game victory.

Nasir exhibited a fine display of speed along with aggression to win 4-9, 4-9, 3-9.

Second-seeded Dipika Pallikal had no answer to the consistency of top seed Low Wee Wern of Malaysia in the girls’ under-19 section.

Wern thus retained the title she had won in 2006. Dipika lost 1-9, 6-9, 0-9.

“Although we were unable to win two titles as targeted, the four titles in the championship were shared by Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan and India. Overall it was a great experience,” said Poncha.

Other Indians finished in the following positions: