Dimapur, July 14 (MExN): Riku Khape of Dimapur and Bendangnaro representing Nagaland Police emerged as the respective men and women champions at the 41st Nagaland Inter District & State Open Badminton Championship 2017 held at Police Complex, Chumukedima. Riku beat Kohima’s Ankur Sangpang Rai 21-12, 22-20 in the final to claim the men’s championship title while Bendangnaro came from one set down to beat Mon’s Deepika Kaushik 11-21, 21-11, 21-9. In men’s doubles final, the ageless pair of Joseph Sumi and Raju Chetri representing Nagaland Police had to summon all of their experiences as they rallied from a set down to beat a much younger pair of Riku Khape and Taliakum from Dimapur, 17-21, 21-12, 22-20. Joseph and Raju also claimed the Veteran 35+ title beating fellow mates from the Nagaland Police Tajen and Moatenjen, 21-15, 21-17. In women’s doubles final, Uma Tamang of Nagaland Police paired up with Kohima’s Prathana to beat Bendangnaro and Imlirenla of Nagaland Police, 21-13, 21-15. In the senior mixed doubles event which saw an all-Nagaland Police final, Joseph Sumi and Imlirenla beat Raju Chetri and Uma Tamang 21-18, 18-21, 21-14. Earlier, host Nagaland Police emerged as team champions in the senior category while Kohima District claimed the runners-up berth. The tournament got underway on July 11 and concluded on July 14.
