Elangbam Thomas of Imphal West has claimed the champion title of youth boys single category in the ‘1st State Level Late Laimayum Bihari Sharma Memorial Table Tennis Tournament 2021’ played at UYO Community Hall, Singjamei Beigyabati Leikai.
In the final match played on Sunday, Thomas faced a stiff challenge from Naorem Sidarth of Imphal East extending the match to six games to determine the winner.
The start of the match witnessed a hot contest between the two players, but Thomas prevailed with 15-13 points for the lead. However, Sidarth came back strongly in the second game as he wrested it by 11-8 points to level the game with a 1-1. In the next two games, Thomas changed his strategy and was able to translate it into action winning them by 11-7 and 11-9 point to enjoy a 3-1 lead.
As the game pushed on, Sidarth put forth his last remaining energy into good use, clinching the fifth game by 11-8 points. But Thomas proved himself too hot to handle for the day as he wrapped up the sixth game with 11-8 points, to lay his hand on the champion title.
Meanwhile in the Men’s Single final match, Laishram Bikram of MPSC prevailed over Y Subashchandra of Imphal West by 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 and 11-5 points for the champion title.
Special mention may be made of Leithanthem Lamjingba of Thoubal who won two titles, the Cadet Boys Single and Sub-Junior Boys Single events. H Liya Devi won the Sub-Junior Girls title while Ksh Nelson grabbed the Junior Boys Single title.
