Rajkumar-Prajakta win mixed doubles title

Chennai, Aug 26 (UNI) In another instance of Indian badminton heading for a brighter future, Rajkumar of Punjab pairing with Prajakta Sawant of Maharashtra annexed the Under-16 mixed doubles title in the Asian junior badminton championships at Hanoi in Vietnam, according to chief national coach for juniors Sanjiv Sachdeva.

In the final of the championships held from August 22 to 26, the Indian duo defeated Yu X and Deng of China 16-21, 21-15, 21-17.

Indians, however, disappointed in singles, introduced for the first time this year with H S Pronnoy reaching quarter finals.

Rajkumar and Sikki Reddy bowed out in the pre quarter finals.

In the mixed team event, India reached the quarter final, losing to Malaysia.

Mr Sachdeva said all the Indian players who participated in the championships were part of the preparatory camps being held once in 300 days to select the Indian squads for the next Commonwealth Games and the 2012 Olympic Games.

The good performance comes in the wake of the one by senior Anup Sridhar in the world championships last week.

UNI