Rahul Belwal Clinches Title at Haryana Open Men's 30+ Singles
Belwal's Dominant Performance
Rahul Belwal showcased an impressive performance at the Haryana Open, remaining undefeated in the Men's 30+ Singles category. He secured the championship with a decisive 15-8 victory against Ashray Bhasin in the final match held on Sunday. Belwal's journey through the knockout stages was nothing short of remarkable. He began his campaign in the Round of 16 with a commanding 11-0 win over Ashwani, followed by an 11-3 triumph against Biswanath Reang in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, he faced Rohit Verma, who had navigated a challenging bracket, and defeated him 15-4 to advance to the final. Throughout the tournament, Belwal consistently limited his opponents to no more than four points in each match, establishing himself as the standout player leading up to the final.
In contrast, Bhasin's route to the final was more arduous. He narrowly defeated Umeed Lama Sherpa 12-4 in his opening match and then edged past Ameya with a score of 13-9. However, he soon found his rhythm, achieving an 11-1 victory over Ankit Deswal in the Round of 16, followed by a dominant 11-0 win against Yatin Sirpaul in the quarterfinals, indicating he was hitting peak form. His semifinal match against Sarad Bedi ended in a convincing 15-3 win, further boosting his momentum. Despite Bhasin's efforts, Belwal was well-prepared for the final, ultimately winning in straight games to claim the trophy.
Several other players also made their mark during the tournament. Yuvraj Singh had a strong start, including a commanding victory in his first match, but was narrowly defeated by Sarad Bedi in a closely contested quarterfinal that ended 11-10, which was arguably the most competitive match of the tournament. Rohit Verma also deserves recognition for his journey to the semifinals, highlighted by a solid 11-4 win over Umeed Lama Sherpa in the quarterfinals. While Bhasin's runner-up finish reflects a commendable performance, it is Belwal who leaves the Haryana Open with the championship trophy.