BWF senior c’ship: Nikhil, Abhinn in quarterfinals

Olympians Nikhil Kanetkar and Abhinn Shyam, two players who lit up Indian badminton with their contrasting styles a little more than a decade ago, moved to the men’s over-35 singles quarterfinals at the Manorama BWF World senior championships at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here on Wednesday evening.

Olympian Nikhil Kanetkar in action in the Manorama BWF World Senior Badminton Championships in Kochi on Wednesday.

Olympians Nikhil Kanetkar and Abhinn Shyam, two players who lit up Indian badminton with their contrasting styles a little more than a decade ago, moved to the men’s over-35 singles quarterfinals at the Manorama BWF World senior championships at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here on Wednesday evening.

“I’m playing an international tournament after a long time. It has been good so far and I feel I have a good chance of winning a medal,” said Nikhil after his 21-17, 21-18 victory over Switzerland’s Oliver Colin.

Meanwhile, Abhinn Shyam Gupta, who defeated Hungary’s Kristof Horvath 21-18, 21-19, will now run into Russia’s top-seeded Stanislav Pukhov, the defending champion.

C.M Shashidhar jolted Denmark’s top-seeded Lars Klintrup 21-8, 21-11 and also moved to the quarterfinals. Joining him are Kochi’s K.A. Aneesh and Joy T. Antony.