RAIPUR: Aakarshi Kashyap, ace shuttler from Chhattisgarh, bagged Li Ning Maldives International Challenge title after defeating her Indian counterpart Ira Sharma in straight sets by 24-22, 21-12 in the final, played on Sunday.
Aakarshi entered the final after defeating Japan’s Miho Kayama in a marathon semifinal by 19-21, 22-20, 22-20, played on Saturday.
For Aakarshi, who had lost to Miho in the Nagpur International Badminton Challenge played last month, the semifinal win was more like revenge.
The 36th Gujarat National Games gold medalist, Aakarshi, told TOI that the back-to-back titles will certainly help her in the upcoming international challenges.
“I have a busy schedule ahead as I am going to represent India in the Hylo Open 2022 to be organised in Germany from November 1 to 9. Maldives International Challenge title is a morale boosting win for me,” she said. Aakarshi’s current world ranking in women’s singles is 47.
