Joshna Chinappa wins National Squash Women's Singles Title

Joshna Chinappa won the National Squash Women’s Singles title after she defeated Urwashi Joshi in the final match of the competition by 9-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-5. It was her 16th National title and with this win, she has equalled the record of Bhuvaneshwari Kumari of winning 16 titles.

About Joshna Chinappa

• Joshna Chinappa is the first Indian squash player to win the British Squash Championship in 2003. She won this title in the under 19 category
• She is also the youngest Indian women’s national Squash champion.
• Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal Karthik won the squash women’s doubles gold medal in 2014 at the Commonwealth Games. It was India’s first ever medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games.

Mahesh Mangaonkar defeated Vikram Malhotra in the final match by 11-4, 13-15, 11-2, 5-11, 15-13to win Men’s Singles title. It was the 75th edition of the championship. This is the maiden title for Mahesh Mangaonkar. The entire tournament was held in Noida.

Squash in India

Squash is a ball sport played by two or four players in a four-walled court with hollow rubber ball. In India, the game is not very popular but picking up gradually. The Squash Rackets Federation of India is India’s squash governing body. Currently, most popular squash players in India are Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal. Dipika was the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 in the Women’s Squash Association rankings.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2018