Afshin Bozorgzadeh, a 27-year-old Iranian, lifted the India Club Western Union UAE Open men's singles title.
In the final played at the India Club, Afshin, displaying total control over his opponent Mohammad Mo'en Ahmad, went on to win the title 15-6, 15-7.
Gulf News Afshin Bozorgzadeh in action against Mohammad Mo'en Ahmad in the men's singles final |
Afshin has a lot of international experience, having taken part in Thomas Cup (six times), World Championship (three times) and Asian Championship tournaments (eight times). He proved to be too fast and strong for Mo'en. His intelligent moves on the court prevented Mo'en from getting any grip on the match.
Interestingly, Afshin, who has coached the Iran Youth National team, has been a coach at the India Club for the past year.
"I started playing badminton from the age of five and has gone on to win over 200 medals in this sport. I am thankful to the sponsorship support and encouragement of Mehdi Amjad, the Managing Director of Al Massa Distribution," remarked Afshin, who has a Bachelors degree in Physical Education.
The victory helped Afshin win a Air India's Dubai-India-Dubai ticket and a diamond gift voucher from Shataff Jewellery.
Earlier, Afshin had won the men's doubles with Anil Mohan. They defeated Chintak Gunaratna and Nuwah Abeysinghe 15-10, 15-0. The boys Under-14 singles crown went to Channabasava Jyoti. He defeated Dilshad Kamaludeen 15-7, 15-6.
The girls under-14 singles title was won by Henna Mohnani. She trounced Soumya Balasburamaniam 11-1, 11-2 in a one-sided match.
The girl's Under-18 singles title was won by Preethi Menon. She recorded a hard-fought 9-11, 11-5, 11-2 victory over Rhea Rashquinha.
Santosh Kumar, who had once lifted the men's singles title, could only win the veteran's singles title.
Over 250 players took part in this tournament. About 10 matches on an average were played daily for the last three weeks. A record number of 21 matches were played on May 27,
On Thursdays and Fridays about 15 matches were played. In all a total number of 221 matches were played throughout the tournament.
The prizes were given away by Sunil Singh, Vice Chairman, India Club.
Western Union Money Transfer were the main sponsors of the tournament with Pepsi, Air India, Marmum Dairy & 106.2 Hum FM as associate sponsors. The co-sponsors were Eppco / Caltex and Vascon Engineering Private Limited.
Final Results
Men's singles: Afshin Bozorgzadeh bt Mohammad Mo'en Ahmad 15-6, 15-7.
Boys Under-14 singles: Channabasava Jyoti bt Dilshad Kamaludheen 15-7, 15-6 Girls Under-14 singles: Henna Mohnani bt Soumya Balasubramanian 11-1, 11-2
Girls Under-18 singles: Preethi Menon bt Rhea Rasquinha 9-11, 11-5 11-2.
Boys Under-18 singles: Channabasava Jyoti bt Amrit Valsraj 15-9, 15-9.
Boys Under-18 doubles: Channabasava Jyoti / Amrit Valsraj bt Lenin Sequeira / T. S. Abhilash 15-6, 15-2.
Veteran's singles: Santosh Kumar bt Lal Money 15-5, second match was conceded by Lal Money.
Veteran's doubles: Lal Money / Santosh Kumar bt Mohammad Azam / Suresh Kumar 15-7, 15-5
Senior veteran's singles: A. K. Abdul Latheef bt Anto Davis 15-0, 15-12.
Senior veteran's doubles: A. K. Prakashan / K. Hemraj bt A. K. Abdul Latheef / Ashok 9-15, 15-7, 15-5.
Senior Veteran's mixed doubles: A. K. Abdul Latheef / Dhanya Mathew bt Anto Davis / Seetha Haridas 15-10, 15-7
Men's doubles: Afshin Bozorgzadeh / Anil Mohan bt Chintak Gunaratna / Nuwah Abeysinghe 15-10, 15-0
Mixed doubles:Anil Mohan / Mahima Susan bt Mohammad Moe'n Ahmad / Shiva Bhagali 10-15, 15-9, 15-10.
