Railways men, TN 1 women emerge champions

CHENNAI: Railways men and Tamil Nadu 1 women emerged victorious in the 18th Senior National Beach Volleyball Championships held here on Wednesday. In a one-sided final, Railways trounced Goa 1 in straight sets 21-18, 21-11.
Railways hardly put a foot wrong during the knockouts. In the second semifinal held earlier in the day, the Railways duo of Rajesh and Chaitanya defeated Tamil Nadu 2 pair Vivek Kumar and Vivek Raj 21-18, 21-15 to set up a final clash with Goa 1, who had got the better off their statemates Anil and Pralahad (Goa 3) 21-11, 18-21, 15-10 in the first semifinal.
In the women's category, it was an all Tamil Nadu finale. The two top entries from the state (TN 1 and TN 2) set things in motion in the evening. Eventually, it was TN 1 who had the last laugh registering a 21-14, 21-15 win over TN 2. Telangana 1 ended up third on the table after defeating TN 2 24-22, 21-11 in the 3rd place contest.
Shalini and Surpaja, representing TN 1, had earlier brushed aside the challenge from Arthi and Sabith of TN 3 21-04, 21-11 to storm into the final. Jenifer and Yogeswari of TN 2 faced a stiff challenge from Telangana 1 duo of Lavanya and Rajitha. However, they were up for it posting a 21-16, 21-13 win.
In the quarterfinals held late on Tuesday night, Tamil Nadu 1 went down fighting to eventual runners-up Goa 1 in three sets. Goa 1, who lost the first set, came back in the next two sets to clinch the match 18-21, 21-15, 15-06.
Results:
Men:
Final: Railways bt Goa 1 21-18, 21-11. Semifinals: 1) Goa 1 bt Goa 3 21-11,18-21,15-10; Indian Railways Bt TN 2 21-18,21-15;
Women:
Final: TN 1 bt TN 2 21-14,21-15; Semifinals: TN 1 bt TN 3 21-04,21-11; TN 2 bt Telangana 1 21-16,21-13.