Gold for city lad at ITF Asian U-12

Navi Mumbai: Making his international debut as Junior Team India contingent Rishikesh Mane (12), a resident of Koparkhairane and a trainee at Nerul Gymkhana Tennis Academy, won gold medal at ITF South Asia Under-12 Tennis Tournament in Bangladesh. Tutelage of Gitesh Awasthi, Mane was accompanied by teammates Vivaan Mirdha of Rajasthan and Smit Undre of Pune. Besides India, other South Asian countries that participated in the event include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.Mane’s outstanding performance in AITA under-12 circuit during the last season earned him a place in the Indian Junior Team. Currently, he holds the third position in All India Ranking. “Throughout the competition, we had good bonding with brilliant teamwork that propelled our position to be match winners. It was great to be part of the champion squad, that too in our maiden attempt,” said Mane. The team has qualified for the All-Asian Under-12 Competition to be held in Kazakhstan. TNN