Nikhil Kanetkar cruises into quarterfinal of Manorama BWF World Senior Championships

INDIA’S NIKHIL KANTEKAR stayed on course to finish on the podium of the Manorama BWF World Senior Championships after posting a comprehensive win over Switzerland’s Oliver Colin in the +35 age category to make it to quarterfinals here on Wednesday.

Nikhil, who represented India in 2004 Summer Olympics and has been part of the Indian squad for other BWF tournaments in the past rolled back the years to register a dominating 21-17, 21-18 victory in just 28 minutes. He is now just a win away from an assured medal.

He will now take on Hendrik Westermeyer of Germany in the next round. Nikhil who is playing in his maiden international tournament after seven year did not show any court rustiness and his current form does indeed make him a strong contender to win the championship. Nikhil said after the match, 

“It has been a long time that I am on the court playing an international tournament. It has been good so far and I feel I have a good chance of winning a medal.”

Talking about his next round opponent, he said, 

“I do not have much idea about him but you can never say. These players are very fit and do keep on playing regularly and I expect a good competition.”

Abhinn Shyam Gupta of India beat Kristof Horvath of Hungary 21-18, 21-19 to cruise into the quarterfinals of the championship in the +35 men’s singles category. He will now face top seeded and defending champion Stanislav Pukhov of Russia.

In the +40 age category, C.M Shashidhar registered an upset victory over top seeded Lars Klintrup of Denmark 21-8, 21-11 to earn his spot in the last eight spot. He will take on Thaweesak Koetsriphan of Thailand in his next match.

K.A Aneesh is also a win away from securing a medal after he advanced to the quarters by beating Morten Aarup of Denmark 21-11,21-12. He will face England’s 3/4 Carl Jennings in the next round.

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