Kavita Khanna Claims Title at 4th IPA Nationals: Kavita Khanna, the third seed, claimed the title in the 50+ category at the 4th IPA Nationals. She defeated Assam’s Babita Langthasa in a thrilling match at Bennett University on Saturday.
A Stunning Victory
Khanna, with a DUPR rating of 3.287, shocked top seed Langthasa, who had a rating of 3.749, in the women’s singles final. Khanna’s strong performance in the semifinals had set expectations high for Langthasa, but Khanna took the first game 11-3.
Despite a tough fight from Langthasa in the second game, Khanna secured the final game 11-9, winning the championship.
Khanna’s Journey in Pickleball
Khanna shared her experience in the tournament.
“I was a little jittery because I had ITF players playing against me, but I just kept my cool because this is the first sport in my life and I’ve never played any racquet sport. So I was a little jittery, but yeah, I played keeping the coach’s guidelines in mind.” – (Khanna)
Khanna took up pickleball two years ago after seeing a friend’s success at the Asian Pickleball Championship in Vietnam.
“So I held the paddle in my hand and saw the ball and I thought this was for kids. You know, anybody can master it.” – (Khanna)
Training for Success
To stay fit for pickleball, Khanna focuses on shoulder strength and agility.
“For this sport, we do shoulder exercises for strength, strengthening, and agility. Because on court, you have to be very mobile if you want to play singles. So, for that, we do agility drills.” – (Khanna)
Impressions of the Venue
Khanna praised the infrastructure at Bennett University, stating,
“Very good. Except for the fact that we are coming from Mumbai. But excellent arrangements. Worth coming, worth coming.” – (Khanna)
She felt the courts were well-made and conducive to a great experience for players.
About Indian Pickleball Association
The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) is the official governing body for pickleball in India, dedicated to promoting and organizing the sport nationwide. The IPA is affiliated with the Asian Pickleball Association and the Global Pickleball Federation.
Significance of the Event
Khanna’s victory at the 4th IPA Nationals highlights the growing popularity of pickleball in India, particularly among older players. As more athletes embrace the sport, events like these could inspire future tournaments and increase participation across the country.
News in Brief: Kavita Khanna Claims Title at 4th IPA Nationals
Kavita Khanna, the third seed, claimed the 50+ category title at the 4th IPA Nationals, defeating top seed Babita Langthasa.
Khanna won the first game 11-3 and secured the championship with a final score of 11-9. Her victory highlights the rising popularity of pickleball in India, particularly among older athletes, and showcases the sport’s competitive nature.
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