Feels amazing to win two medals on maiden international tourney: Jennifer

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, Mar 30, 2022

“Cho!” shouted a jubilant Jennifer Varghese, the 13-year-old Indian paddler immediately after winning the final point which fetched her the gold medal in the Under-15 age category in the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender in girls singles events at Salle Omnisport de Rades in Tunisia on Sunday night.

Nagpur’s table tennis player Jennifer did the unthinkable, that too on her first attempt.

The lanky Centre Point School, Katol Road student, clinched twin medals, a silver in Under-17 age category and then bettered her performance to clinch the gold in Under-15 age group on her first attempt on the international circuit.

Nobody expected Jennifer to win two medals on her first attempt, even the paddler herself. And she is glad to mark her arrival on the international arena with a thunderous medal winning performance.

“It is an amazing feeling. Winning medals in my first international tournament, something that I hadn’t been expecting with the level of competitiveness that is present in international tournaments,” said Jennifer while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.

“I am certainly very glad that I was given this opportunity and I tried my best to reach the finals in both the categories,” she added.

Both the medals, the U-17 silver and U-15 gold, satisfied her and there was no comparison as to which she loved winning most. “Both (medals) are satisfying. For both the medals, I played (against) formidable opponents in both categories. The silver motivated me to try harder and the gold inspired me to look forward to more opponents and try my best in all categories,” explained Jennifer, daughter of Thomas and Tina.

Entering into her first maiden international tournament, Jennifer was a bit nervous and had her doubts too as to how things would pan out. But she gave her best and the result was there to be seen.

“Everyone who participates in a tournament wants to win it. I, too, hoped the same but considering that it was my maiden international tournament I had my doubts too. But I gave my best and I am happy that I could win medals in both categories,” she said.

Jennifer followed a set practice pattern to prepare for this tournament and gave more stress on her fitness routines.

“I followed certain practice routines set up by my coaches (Chennai’s R Rajesh and Ujjwal Wani at Nagpur). I did fitness routines regularly to prepare for the tournament.

“I was playing after a long COVID break which had hampered her preparation.

“When the COVID situation occurred, I was quite unhappy since I couldn’t continue with my practice. I could not focus on my training and my confidence got wavered. But I am extremely thankful for my coach and my family who supported me and helped me get my focus straight,” Jennifer mentioned.

Jennifer, who gave stress on improving her fitness and fine-tuning her stroke play, is aware that the road from here on would get tougher and she will have to work more hard. She wants to play more tournaments so that she can be ready to face toughest of the opponents. “The road ahead is indeed tough but I hope I can prepare for it by playing more tournaments, improving my fitness and ultimately my game,” Jennifer concluded.

City comes out in ‘Jhund’ for Prof Barse

By Paritosh Pramanik

“IT’S 100 per cent real. My life’s journey with Slum Soccer and ‘Jhopadpatti’ football has been beautifully enveloped in three hours by Director Nagraj Popatrao Manjule,” said Prof Vijay Barse after the first screening of the movie ‘Jhund’ in the city on Friday afternoon.

The Amitabh Bachchan-starrer movie is the real story of Prof Barse, who decided to change the lives of kids from slums through football. The atmosphere during the first screening was festive on Friday morning. Rose petals were distributed to all the ‘special’ ones who arrived ahead of time for the movie. At a far corner, the ‘dhol’ was getting ready. As Prof Barse alighted his car, he was mobbed by his loving supporters. Prof Barse is a celebrity now. He has become Nagpur’s Amitabh Bachchan.

Prof Barse, his wife Ranjana and other family members were escorted towards the hall on dhol beats, adding spice to 

the occasion. Prof Barse even shook a leg as he climbed the stairs with a broad smile and a sense of pride on his face.

There were a few ‘Barse Sir ki Jai’ slogans during the movie, which was gripping till the end. The special spectators include some former students of St John’s High School, where the movie was filmed. They, too, felt proud whenever the school building or the football ground was on the screen.

“The entire movie is based on my life with Slum Soccer and Jhopadpatti football. I am really happy that my role was played by Amitabh Bachchan,” said Prof Barse after watching the movie with his family and close friends.

Prof Barse was all praise for the way the movie is directed by Manjule.

“He (Manjule) is a world class director. He delivered the message in the best form and I am surprised that he did it in three hours,” added Prof Barse.

“My entire life story is portrayed in this movie and not a single scene is added to make it more dramatic,” claimed Prof Barse while replying to a query by ‘The Hitavada.’

“This is one of the best days of my life. I never imagined that whatever I was doing would be brought forth and the message would be delivered to the public through a movie.

“My only message to the society is to love everybody and help anybody. Your neighbours are important, always be ready to help them. That’s what I have learned from my parents,” said Prof Barse.

Prof Barse, who started slum soccer some two decades back, said Amitabh Bachchan played the role to perfection.

“He (Bachchan) was fantastic. He is a great actor, ruling Bollywood for more than 50 years. He does not need any certification from anybody. His acting really mesmerised me. What a person he is on and off the screen both. I am highly obliged that Bachchan ji played the role of Prof Vijay Borade,” exclaimed Prof Barse.

Immediately after the movie, Prof Barse was again mobbed by a ‘Jhund’ who wanted to click photos with him. Some hugged him, some only shook their hands, a few just looked at him in awe, from a distance.

Prof Barse, the football coach, the teacher, the educator, the instructor, obliged all as Nagpur’s Amitabh Bachchan walked down the stairs to continue his journey with the downtrodden.

WGM Divya is national women chess champion

By Paritosh Pramanik

UNCONQUERED!

After nine rounds, seven wins and two draws, Woman Grandmaster (WGM) of Nagpur Divya Deshmukh is the new National Women Chess Champion 2022, probably the youngest woman to do so in 

the country.

The 16-year-old city lass, who became WGM last October, was playing only her third Over-The-Board Tournament since the Latvia competition in October. In Latvia, Divya played two tournaments after the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to play a series of online meets.

Those two OTB tournaments helped her gain momentum for this ‘actual chess’. On Wednesday, the talented and one of the most promising chess players of the country stunned all to claim the title with eight points from nine rounds at the MPL 47th National Women Chess Championship in Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

Once again, ‘A Wednesday’ which turned lucky for Divya as her final WGM norm was also secured on a Wednesday, October 13, 2021.

Divya gained valuable 25 ELO rating points and grabbed a  purse of Rs 5.50 lakh (US$ 7250) for her achievement.

WIM Sakshi Chitlange of Maharashtra finished second while Andhra Pradesh’s WIM Priyanka Nutakki ended third.

Playing her ninth round on the top board against International Master and fifth seed Soumya Swaminathan of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), Divya, who was seeded eighth in the competition, played it safe for a quick 18-move draw to earn the half point she needed to wrest the crown.

On her way to the top of the standings, Divya started with a draw against Varshita Jain of Madhya Pradesh and then improved her game winning seven on the trot. She defeated Sherali Pattnaik of Uttarakhand, WFM A Harshini of Tamil Nadu, IM Nisha Mohta of PSBP, WIM Priyanka Nutakki of Andhra Pradesh, WIM Sakshi Chitlange of Maharashtra, Goa’s IM Bhakti Kulkarni, IM Vaishali R of Tamil Nadu before splitting point with Swaminathan.

“Divya played two OTB tournaments in Latvia last October. That has helped her prepare for this meet. She was playing those two tournaments after a long COVID-19 break,” said Dr Jitendra Deshmukh, Divya’s father, who was with her at Bhubaneswar.

On her title victory, Divya said it is yet to sink in and she is happy with the way things have panned out.

“Feeling happy even though I haven't completely digested it,” was all she had to say about the victory.

Divya said that the competition at Bhubaneswar was tough and all the matches were very interesting.

“The competition was quite tough as we had the best women players from all over the country. There was no easy game in the entire tournament,” added Divya.

Divya was not sure who was her toughest opponent but said that the game against top seed Vaishali was the most difficult and exciting one.

“I’m not sure who the toughest opponent was because everyone here was strong but the toughest game I would have to say was with R Vaishali of Tamil Nadu. The game got extremely intense towards the end and we both ended up with seconds on the clock,” explained Divya.

When she started her first round against Madhya Pradesh’s Varshita Jain, Divya was not aiming at the title shot. All she wanted was to play to the best of her abilities. But once she got into the groove and won six games on the trot, the thought of winning the coveted title crossed her mind.

“I guess around the 8th round (against Vaishali) I thought, maybe, I can clinch this for sure,” revealed Divya.

“Honestly speaking, I had no expectations regarding this tournament and I just wanted to give my best like in every other tournament. I don’t entirely know about the importance of this title win but it feels nice,” concluded Divya.

Proud to be a Russian but war is not the solution: Anna

Proud to be a Russian but war is not the solution: Anna

By Paritosh Pramanik

ANNA Ureke, a “proud Russian”, participating in the Aryan Pumps-MSLTA Women’s $15K Tennis Tournament in Nagpur, feels that war is not the solution to any problem and it should be stopped soon. Russia has invaded Ukraine and the fight has entered fifth day with heavy casualties on the Ukraine side.

Anna, seeded second in the tournament hosted by Nagpur District Hardcourt Tennis Association, shared her views with ‘The Hitavada’ on Tuesday evening in a court-side interview.

Anna said, she has been away from home for quite some time now as she is playing tennis all over the world. She is now not sure how she would be able to return to Russia.

“I have been away from home for a long time as I am continuously travelling for tournaments. I don’t know how I would go back to Moscow after this tournament on Monday,” said the 21-year-old.

Like any other person Anna was appalled with the situation.

“Nobody wants war and it’s very dangerous. I don’t want to be political and I don’t understand politics but I hope that every country and every citizen is safe. I think war should not be the solution,” she said in her broken English.

“It’s a crazy situation now. It is very difficult now to go back home as there are travel restrictions in place from all over the world. The sky is closed. The flights are canceled. I will be booking my tickets on Monday and hope I return safely,” Anna prayed.

“I don’t know who is right and who is wrong. I only know that people don’t want to fight and hope everything will be fine soon. I am proud to be Russian,” said Anna, who is an Economics and Mathematics student at Moscow University.

Anna started her India sojourn with a singles title win at Jhajjar in Haryana. In the final, Anna, who was seeded second, defeated top seed India’s Zeel Desai 6-4, 6-6, 6-4.

In the second tournament in Gurugram, she suffered a hand injury and had to retire midway in the first round against Soha Asdiq. At Ahmedabad, she was stunned by unseeded Akanksha Nitture in the first round.

But Anna, who started playing tennis at the age of six years, is happy with her performance. “Nothing changed from Jhajjar where I won the title. In the second tournament (Gurugram), I was a bit relaxed. I played the doubles final but could not win there. I had pain in my hand in the second tournament but now it is fine. I am happy with my performance,” added the Russian who started her sporting career as a synchronised swimmer.

“I started playing tennis when I was 6-7 years old. My friends suggested that I play tennis for some club. Earlier, I used to do synchronised swimming when I was young. But it has been 10 years since I stopped synchronised swimming and now I am totally concentrating on my tennis career,” said Anna.

Anna does not have any idol and she does not follow any star tennis player. She wants to be herself and make her own identity and climb in top 100 (rankings) in next two years.

“I like to watch everyone but have no idol. I like the games of Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Garbine Muguruza (Spain). I love to play my own game. I have been the world junior number in 2014-2015 and also have won the European Championship,” she signed off.