Fifteen-year-old Naina Jaiswal continues to make waves in the table tennis circuit. This multi-talented youngster has set a record of sorts by becoming the youngest ever to win a memorable ‘triple crown’ (she won the juniors, youth and women’s singles titles) in the inaugural Telangana State-Ranking Table Tennis Tournament at St. Paul’s High School three days ago.
For someone who has become the youngest ever to complete graduation in journalism and now doing post-graduation in political science from Osmania University, Naina is delighted as she beat the senior and highly-rated 21-year-old Nikhat Banu for the first time in any State meet (she had earlier beaten Nikhat in a national ranking event once).
“Nikhat is such a good player and with this win, my confidence level has gone up. I am hoping to do well in the Senior Nationals which Hyderabad will be hosting early next year,” the articulate Naina says. “It was a tough game. Though I led 3-1 at one stage, Nikhat fought back well to level the scores. I maintained my cool and gave off my best in crunch time,” the young talent recalled.
Why such joy since it’s not a national event? “I am the first player from the newly-formed Telangana State to achieve this triple,” points out the girl, good in reciting Ramayana ‘slokas’ at a stretch, besides giving extempore lectures on contemporary topics with ease.
“My forehand strokes are my strong points and I am trying to master my backhand returns and focus on my fitness level as I prepare for the big season ahead,” says Naina, for whom the next big event is the national ranking tournament in Chennai in a few days. Her father Ashwani Kumar Jaiswal doubling up as coach and mentor has a task cut out.
My forehand strokes are my strong points and I am trying to focus on my fitness as I prepare for the big season ahead
