The Assam team triumphed over Mizoram to become champions of the team event on the second day of the ongoing 4th NIAPA Northeast Open TT Tournament, held at the NIAPA Mini Stadium, Chümoukedima. It may be mentioned that the Assam team are also the reigning champions of the Northeast Games 2024, which were held in Chümoukedima.
Led by National Games bronze medalist Shankab Gautam Baruah, Agniv Bhaskar Gohain, Northeast gold medalist Trisha Gogoi, Akankhya Borpujari, and Diganto Mahato, the Assam team emerged victorious. Mizoram’s team featured prodigies Jeho Himnakulpuingheta, Alberto Ruata, Lalthansangi Sailo, and Malsawmtluangi.
In the final, Assam defeated Mizoram 3-2 to claim the championship title in the team event. Mizoram’s Jeho Himnakulpuingheta lost to Agniv Bhaskar Gohain 3-0 in the men’s singles, while Trisha Gogoi easily beat Malsawmtluangi 3-0 in the women’s singles, giving Assam a 2-0 lead.
The Mizoram duo of Himnakulpuingheta and Ruata then kept the game alive by defeating Gohain and Baruah. However, Trisha Gogoi and Akankhya Borpujari clinched the victory for Assam by beating Lalthansangi Sailo and Malsawmtluangi, securing a 3-1 lead. Despite Diganto Mahato and Akankhya Borpujari’s loss to Sailo and Malsawmtluangi, the title had already been decided in Assam’s favor.
The Assam team, crowned champions, received a cash prize of Rs 90,000 along with citations, while the Mizoram team was awarded Rs 50,000 for their performance. Polan John, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Chümoukedima, attended the event as the guest of honor and presented the awards to the winning team.
Some notable players in the tournament included defending Northeast champion Trisha Gogoi, Jeho Himnakulpuingheta, two-time NE Olympic gold medalist Tanushree Dasgupta from Meghalaya, and former Northeast Games TT gold medalist Alberto Ruata.
On the third day, the individual events will feature singles, doubles, and mixed competitions for both men and women, as they compete for the titles on the final day.