Joy T Anthony of India thrashed Seneka Attanayake of Sri Lanka to enter round two of the men’s singles at the BWF World Senior Championships in Kochi on Monday, reported PTI.
The second seeded Indian, who is one of the favorites to win the championships in the 40-plus age category, won 21-6, 21-4 over the Sri Lankan in just 16 minutes. The former National Games champion will be up against Joost Van Den Brande of Belgium in his next match.
CM Shasidhar got past Vegar Naess 21-5, 21-4 of Norway to qualify for the round-of-16 in the men’s singles 40-plus age category as well. He will take on top seed Lars Klintrup of Denmark.
Former Olympian Nikhil Kanetkar also progressed in the men’s singles 35-plus category with a straight games victory over Konstantin Myakeshiv 21-5, 23-21 in 24 minutes.
Kanetkar, who won the Indian Masters (Veterans) National Badminton Championships 2017, will take on Oliver Colin of Switzerland.
In the 45-plus category, Jaison Xavier advanced to the next round after Pankaj Bhart retired mid-way through his match. He will face Sebastian Grad of France in next round.
In women’s singles competition, Swati Chauhan won her first round robin match in group C against Karine Barbot of France in the 35-plus age category.
