BHUBANESWAR 12-Oct-2011 291
Orissa school students excelled in tennis with a three-member girls` team of Bhubaneswar Region winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medals in the Kendriya Vidyalaya National Sports Meet in New Delhi earlier on Wednesday.
Komal Vishakha, a standard-VIII student of Bhubaneswar KV-II (CRPF Campus) and Shreya Sahoo of Bhubaneswar KV-I, grabbed the gold in the under-14 team event, defeating Lucknow Region in the final 2-1. Komal won the opening singles to give Bhubaneswar 1-0 lead. But the defeat of Shreya in the second singles allowed Lucknow level the tie 1-1. The Bhubaneswar duo eventually clinched the gold by winning the decisive doubles match.
Abhilipsa Rath, a standard-X student of Bhubneswar KV-I claimed the silver in the under-17 singles category after losing to Prajnya of Delhi in the final. Earleir in the semifinals, she beat Divya of Chennai.
The bronze medal was pocketed by Komal, who did it by defeating Prachi of Delhi in the girls` under-14 singles category. Komal, a desciple of coach Lalit Dash, had a good chance to go for the silver or gold but blisters in the hand denied her the opportunity.
The impressive performance helped Komal and Abhilipsa qualify for the SGFI National School Games, which is expected to be held in Delhi in December.
The achievement of the tennis girls drew appreciation from different quarters in the state. ``The girls worked hard and deserved the medals,`` said athletics and kho-kho exponent Sandhya Choudhury, who escorted the girls to Delhi.
``The three girls have made KVS Bhubaneswar Region proud for their success in the National Meet. Our school will continue to provide all support to enable them excell in the SGFI National Meet and AITA events as well,`` assured KV-II Principal Bandana Mohanty.
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PHOTO: KVS National medal winners (Left to right) Komal Vishakha, Abhilipsa Rath and Shreya Sahoo.
