Men's top seed Deep Saun of NPC also upset men's No 1 Shiva Sundar Gothe of Armed Police Force (APF) in a closely contested five-setter with the score of 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9 ahead of Monday's rest day.
“Deep Saun is the top seeded player as he finished first in the selection tournament but is ranked fifth in the national level,” said Rakesh Maharjan, who also qualified for the knockout stage of the six-day tournament along with other 15 players in the men's singles section.
Deep topped Pool A with a perfect record of nine wins while Shiva secured the second position with eight wins and a loss. Other players to qualify from Pool A in descending order are Chandan Shahi of APF, Rakesh Maharjan of NPC, Prajwal Shrestha of Tribhuvan Army Club, Binesh Khania of NPC, Suman Shakya of Lalitpur and Rajan Subba of Kaski.
Likewise, Nepal's No 3 Puroshattam Bajracharya of APF topped Pool B followed by Amar Lal Malla of NPC, Mani Kumar Lama of NPC, Ashish Awale of Lalitpur, Sunil Maharjan of Lalitpur, Nihal Shrestha of Kaski, Abhay Raj Shrestha of NPC and Bilos Shrestha of Kathmandu.
In the women's section, Nepal's No 2 Elina brought an end to the winning streak of Nabita with a 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 2-11, 11-9 win over the top-ranked player.
Both Elina and her sister-in-law Nabita have won eight of their nine matches followed by Swechha Nembang of NPC (7 wins and 2 defeats) and Rabina Maharjan of NPC (7-2).
Other players to make the cut for the top eight positions for the knockout stage are Erica Maharjan of NPC, Selisha Khadgi of APF, Apekshya Shakya of Sunsari and Kajal Rauniyar of Kaski.
Missing from the table tennis tournament carrying the highest cash prize is former No 1 Ajay Suwal, according to former chief coach Bijendra Hamal.
“Ajay is not playing this tournament due to an injury,” he said.
“The winners of men's and women's singles categories will be awarded Rs 60,000 each. There is no discrimination between men and women,” added Hamal on the occasion of the International Women's Day.
The tournament is being held in commemoration of late Kala Bohara, wife of former Inspector General of Police Moti Lal Bohara.
Related story
Santoo, Nabita win gold in table tennis
