Evergreen Joshna makes two summit clashes

Joshna watches Velavan hitting a return in the mixed doubles semifinal against  Sandhesh and Shameena Riaz at the National doubles Squash Championship in Chennai on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU

Joshna Chinappa, the 19-time senior National women’s champion, is going strong at 38. The way she has been playing at the ongoing National doubles championships proves that she has another year or two of squash left in her.

On Thursday, the multiple Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist, reached the National doubles finals in women’s doubles, along with Anahat Singh (as the top seed), and mixed doubles with Velavan Senthilkumar (as the second seed).

“Velavan is really solid. So, it makes my job easier. And Anahat, on the forehand, is equally strong. That is a huge difference,” said Joshna, at 106, the third-highest ranked Indian after Anahat (57) and Akansha Salunkhe (71).

When asked whether she was looking forward to playing her fifth Asian Games in Japan next year, Joshna refused to be categorical. “I’ll take it month-by-month based on what tournaments are coming up. My targets are the Nationals because that’s the selection criteria for the Asian Games. Playing in the Games is definitely a possibility.” she said.

The results (semifinals):

Men: Abhay Singh & Velavan Senthilkumar bt Rahul Baitha & Suraj Chand 11-4, 11-3. Guhan Senthilkumar & Ravi Dixit bt Abhay S. Vasudev & L. Meyyappan 11-2 11-4.

Women: Anahat Singh & Joshna Chinappa bt Nirupama Dubey & Shameena Riaz 11-10, 11-3; Pooja Arthi & S. Rathika bt Ananya Narayan & Anjali Semwal 11-6, 11-6.

Mixed: Abhay Singh & Anahat Singh bt Ravi Dixit & Janet Vidhi 11-6, 11-6; Velavan Senthilkumar & Joshna Chinappa bt Sandhesh & Shameena Riaz 11-4, 11-4.