Senior National-ranking Badminton: Kiran George beats C. Rahul to clinch title

Kiran George, the reigning Junior National champion, rallied from a game down to defeat fourth seed C. Rahul Yadav 18-21, 21-9, 21-18 and claim the men's singles title.

Aakarshi Kashyap and Kiran George, who emerged singles champions at the Yonex Sunrise Senior National ranking badminton tournament at the KBA courts on Sunday.

A week after disappointment in the final in Kozhikode, Kerala's Kiran George delivered a fine performance to clinch the Yonex Sunrise Senior National-ranking badminton tournament at the KBA courts here on Sunday.

Kiran, the reigning Junior National champion, rallied from a game down to defeat fourth seed C. Rahul Yadav 18-21, 21-9, 21-18 and claim the men's singles title.

"It's a huge win. I'm winning a senior tournament after two years, so it's a boost for me," he said.

AAI's Aakarshi Kashyap, also the current Junior National champion, secured the women's singles title, seeing off Railways' Riya Mookerjee 21-13, 21-14.

In the men's doubles final, second seeds Krishna Prasad and Dhruv Kapila overcame Rupesh Kumar & V. Diju 21-17, 19-21, 21-15 in a hard-fought contest.

Meanwhile, National champions Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat eased to victory in the women's doubles final, defeating Keyura Mopati and Rutaparna Panda 21-11, 21-17.

The results (all finals): Men: Singles: Kiran George (Ker) bt Rahul Yadav (Tel) 18-21, 21-9, 21-18. Doubles: Krishna Prasad & Dhruv Kapila (AP/AI) bt Rupesh Kumar & V. Diju (Pet) 21-17, 19-21, 21-15. Women: Singles: Aakarshi Kashyap (AAI) bt Riya Mookerjee (Rly) 21-13, 21-14. Doubles: Shikha Gautam & Ashwini Bhat (AI/Kar) bt Keyura Mopati & Rutaparna Panda (Tel/Odi) 21-11, 21-17. Mixed Doubles: Dhruv Kapila & Rutaparna Panda (AI/Odi) bt Sangram Chutia & Manali Bora (Asm) 21-13, 21-19.