BUTTERWORTH: A. CHEERENDEV successfully defended his Protech-Penang Indian Open Badminton Championship boys’ Under-16 singles title after his opponent, S. Meenoshen, retired in the final at the TCH Badminton Hall in Sungai Puyu recently.
Meenoshen from Kedah threw in the towel despite leading 5-2 in the first game to concentrate on the men’s Open doubles final with B. Nitesh but they eventually lost to the Penang pair of Alif Razlan Rajan and Mustafa 17-21, 21-15, 21-12.
In addition to the boys’ Under-16 title, Cheerendev also clinched the men’s Open singles title after receiving a walk over from Kedahan V. Roobenraj due to injuries. He was the first Penangite to win the men’s Open singles title since its inauguration in 2011.
Razlan Rajan Abdullah and his son, Alif Razlan Rajan, also had a double celebration.
Razlan, the state coach, partnered with K. Samy to regain the men’s Open doubles title they won in 2012.
The Penang duo defeated Johor’s Daniel and Selangor’s K. Murai 17-21, 21-17, 21-15.
Cheerendev, a Penang Free School student, excels in his studies and sports.
In the PMR exam last year, he scored straight ‘A’s and is looking forward to repeating his achievement in the SPM next year.
“I also want to emulate Tan Sri Dr Mani Jegatheesan, formerly Asia’s fastest man, and Datuk Punch Gunalan, who was once the country’s top badminton player.
“They also did very well academically.
“I want a good education while badminton is my passion, and I love both equally. I want to be successful in both. I want to be the next Lee Chong Wei.
“I really believe it is not hard to achieve my dreams,” said Cheerendev, who aspires to be a medical doctor after receiving his trophies.
Among Cheerendev’s achievements this year were clinching the Penang Schools Boys’ Under-18 singles title and winning gold at the national junior circuit.
Penang Indian Badminton Association (Piba) president Durairajoo Muniandy said the two-day competition consisted of eight categories.
“More than 400 players from all over the country competed. The total cash prize was RM10,550,” he said.
Durairajoo said apart from the annual competition, Piba also manages two academies and training centres in Sungai Bakap and iButterworth, where the association has hired a full-time Indonesian coach assisted by local coaches Alif Razlan, P. Muniandy and V. Anbalagan.
RESULTS — (all finals) Boys’ singles Under-12: M. Shaarveen (Joh) bt V. Poobathi (Ked) 21-16, 21-12.
Under-16: A. Cheerendev (Pg) bt S. Meenoshen (Ked) 2-5 (ret).
Doubles Under-14: M. Shaarveen-A. Aishnaveen (Joh) bt S. Harivengdesh-H. Navinsamy (Pg) 22-20, 21-11.
Men’s open singles: A. Cheerendev (Pg) w-o V. Roobenraj (Ked).
Doubles: Alif Razlan-Mustafa (Pg) bt B. Nitesh-S. Meenoshen (Ked) 17-21, 21-15, 21-12.
Veterans: K. Samy-Razlan Rajan Abdullah (Pg) bt Daniel (Joh)-K. Murai (Sel) 17-21, 21-17, 21-15.
Girls’ singles Under-14: S. Darshana (Sel) bt M. Harshini (Ter) (21-17, 21-11.
Women: G. Dheshnee (Pg) bt R. Elahvarasi (Sel) 21-15,21-14.