KATHMANDU, Oct 4: Ratna Jeet Tamang of Tribhuvan Army Club has clinched the title of First Zest Open National Badminton Tournament on Tuesday. In the final held at Zest’s court, Basundhara, Ratna Jeet defeated his club mate Dipesh Dhami 21-18, 12-21, 21-19. 

Ratna Jeet and Dipesh have been vying in the finals of almost all domestic tournaments lately but Ratna Jeet has been victorious. With a win, Ratna Jeet won a purse of Rs 25,000 while runner-up Dipesh bagged Rs 15,000.  Bishnu Katuwal of Nepal Police Club and Bikash Shrestha of Bhojpur, who reached the semifinals, were handed Rs 8,000 each. Earlier in the semifinals held on the same day, Bishnu was defeated by Ratna Jeet and another semifinalist Bikash was beaten by Dipesh. 

Similarly in the men’s doubles event, the pair of Ram Rai and Suroj Maharjan claimed first position beating the pair of Bhugol Gurung and Laxman Shrestha of Pokhara with the scoreline of 21-17, 24-22.  The winner of mens’ doubles Ram and Suroj were awarded with Rs 25,000 while runner-up Bhugol and Laxman were handed Rs 15,000. 

In the women’s doubles, the pair of Puja Shrestha and Sikshya Shrestha of APF claimed the first position defeating the pair of Nangsal Devi Tamang and Anu Maya Rain of Army in straight sets. Winners won a purse of Rs 20,000 while the second-position holders were handed Rs 12,000. 

Likewise in the master’s doubles 35 plus event, Army duo Subash Shrestha and Bhumi Bahadur Gurung grabbed the first position defeating the pair of Nar Bahadur Gurung and Sambhu Shrestha of Pokhara 21-17, 25-23.  Winning pair were awarded with Rs 20,000. 
In the master’s doubles 45 plus as well, the pair of Subash Shrestha and Bhumi Bahadur Gurung of Army claimed the first position as they defeated the pair of Shyam Parajuli and Nabin Babu Shrestha of Annapurna Badminton Academy 21-15, 15-21, 21-19. The winning pair grabbed Rs 20,000. 

Similarly, Prince Dahal of Zest became champion of the U-15 boys’ singles event as he defeated Bidhan Adhikari of Pokhara 21-15, 21-19. Prince won a purse of Rs 15,000 while Bidhan was handed Rs 8,000. 

The tournament that started from last Sunday saw participation of 170 players in six events including men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, U-15 boys, master’s doubles 35 plus and 45 plus categories. Keshav Kumar Bista, member secretary of National Sports Council, Ramji Bahadur Shrestha, president of Nepal Badminton Association among others distributed prizes to the medalists.

 
• ratna jeet tamang
 
• tribhuvan army club
 
• first zest open national badminton tournament