Nagpur shuttler Makode creates history, bags veteran national title

NAGPUR: It seems like wine, Kiran Makode is getting better with the age. The 44-year-old Makode created a history on Thursday at Dharamsala when the experienced city shuttler bagged the national title in the 45 plus mixed doubles category.
The fifth day of the 39th Masters (Veteran) National Badminton Championships at Dharmasala, Himachal Pradesh, turned out to be a memorable one for the left-handed LIC employee.
Makode with his Chennai partner Suzanne Venglet clinched the mixed doubles crown to become the first shuttler from the city to emerge champion at the national-level in this category.
The unseeded pair of Makode and Suzanne overcame mid-match slump to down Ch Sanyasi Rao and Kavita Dixit 21-14, 17-21, 21-13 in 40 minutes.
Earlier in the semis, Makode-Suzanne shocked second seeds Mayur Tawade and Saroj Sawant 21-18, 21-18 in 35 minutes.
A jubilant Makode gifted the title to his wife Pallavi, who celebrated her birthday on Thursday.
"I am extremely happy today. I was not planning to play mixed doubles but our common friend suggested so we gave entry for the qualifying rounds and step by step we just did it. It is still to sink in. This is my biggest gift to my wife Pallavi as it is her birthday today," Makode told TOI on Thursday.
While it was glory for Makode, another city shuttler Jayendra Dhole could not live upto the expectations in the 35 plus section.
Dhole lost in the semifinals in both mixed doubles and men's singles. Reigning Nagpur district champion Dhole lost easily in the men's singles against third seed Sameer Abbasi but fought well in the mixed doubles semis. The duo of Dhole and Prerana Joshi went down fighting in three games.
RESULTS
(Semifinals) 45 plus mixed doubles: Kiran Makode-Suzanne Venglet bt 2-Mayur Tawade-Saroj Sawant 21-18, 21-18.
35 plus men's singles: 2-Jayendra Dhole lost to 3-Sameer Abbasi 10-21, 15-21.
35 plus mixed doubles: Jayendra Dhole-Prerana Joshi lost to K Senthil Velan-Tessy Joseph 21-18, 11-21, 18-21.
(Final) 45 plus mixed doubles: Kiran Makode-Suzanne Venglet bt Ch Sanyasi Rao-Kavita Dixit 21-14, 17-21, 21-13.