Talasila Triumphs In Men’s Singles As Indians Dominate Lagos Badminton Classics
By Saheed Afolabi
Tankara Talasila have won the men’s singles title at the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics defeating compatriot and training partner, Hmar Laithazuala in the final.
The win marked a memorable debut for Talasila on African soil. Reflecting on the contest, he described it as a particularly challenging encounter.
“I feel so happy winning this competition, being my first time in Africa and Nigeria, but the win came at a difficult moment, playing against a friend and training partner,” Talasila told newsmen.
“I played against a good friend who knows the pattern of my playing, which made it difficult for me, but in the end, Nigeria is special.”
Talasila’s triumph formed part of a strong showing by Indian players, who secured three of the five titles on offer at the tournament.
In the women’s doubles, the Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, defeated fellow Indians Kwripriya Selvam and Simpran Singhi. The mixed doubles title also went to India, with Dhuv Ramat and Katie Maneesha overcoming Sathwik Kanapuram and Radhike Sharma in an all-Indian final.
The remaining two titles went elsewhere. In the women’s singles, 19-year-old Prakriti Bharath of the United Arab Emirates defeated Petra Maixnerova of Czechia, while Thailand’s Thanawin Madee and Madee Pongsakom claimed the men’s doubles gold by beating UAE’s Bharath Latheesh and Dev Vishnu.
Speaking at the close of the competition, Lekan Abdul, a board member of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, praised the Lagos State Government for its continued support of the event and commended the athletes, sponsors and organisers for delivering a successful championship.
