Suthirtha qualifies for Nanjing Youth Olympics

Bangkok, Apr 6: Promising paddler Suthirtha Mukherjee booked a berth in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China after beating Malaysia’s An Qi Angeline Tang 4-0 in a one-sided match of the Asian Qualification tournament here.

Mukherjee won 11-5 11-4 11-2 11-9 to become the 16th player to qualify for the August Games.

Right from the start, the Indian was in attacking mode and it paid rich dividends. After taking the first three games easily, Mukherjee slackened a bit in the fourth, providing her Malaysian opponent ample opportunities.

“During breaks and at time out in the fourth game, coach (Muralidhar) Rao Sir told me to keep my service and attacking variations going. They helped me a lot. I am happy I did not let him down. I very badly needed to win to qualify for the Games,” said Mukherjee. (PTI)