Aakash Kumar and Raghav Taparia claimed the Intermediate Men’s Doubles gold at the Arena One Open PWR 200 in Kolkata on Day 2 at Ballygunge Arena. They narrowly defeated Sashant Poddar and Rishav aKhaitan 21-20 in a final that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
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Final Showdown Full of Tension
The final was a dramatic battle from start to finish. Both pairs were in top form, with quick reflexes at the net and aggressive baseline shots. Poddar and Khaitan stayed close throughout, but Kumar and Taparia maintained their composure in the final points, securing a one-point victory to lift the gold medal.
Dominance in Pool Play
Both teams entered the final after dominating their respective pools. Kumar and Taparia were undefeated in Pool D, winning every match convincingly. Poddar and Khaitan topped Pool B with a perfect four-match record. Their strong performances in the early rounds set the stage for an epic title clash.
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Bronze Medal Battle
The bronze medal match also delivered excitement. Vivek Burman and Rahul Sharma, winners of Pool A with four straight victories before falling in the semi-finals, regrouped to defeat Madhav Patel and Shivam Patel 21-18. Their win highlighted resilience and ensured another podium finish for Pool A.
Match Analysis and Significance
The Intermediate Men’s Doubles matches reflected the rising level of pickleball in India. The narrow margin in the final showed how closely matched the top teams were. Kumar and Taparia’s win emphasized the importance of nerves, teamwork, and focus under pressure. Day 2 reaffirmed Kolkata’s status as a hub for competitive pickleball.
News in Brief: Aakash Kumar and Raghav Taparia
Aakash Kumar and Raghav Taparia won the Intermediate Men’s Doubles gold at the Arena One Open PWR 200 in Kolkata, defeating Sashant Poddar and Rishav Khaitan 21-20. Vivek Burman and Rahul Sharma claimed bronze with a 21-18 victory over Madhav Patel and Shivam Patel. The matches showcased skill, precision, and competitive spirit.
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