Siril Dreams Dashed in Junior Worlds Final

Siril Verma’s dream run ended when he fell to sixth seed Chia Hung Lu of Chinese Taipei.
Siril Dreams Dashed in Junior Worlds Final

HYDERABAD: Siril Verma’s dream run ended when he fell to sixth seed Chia Hung Lu of Chinese Taipei 21-17, 10-21, 7-21 in the final of the junior World Badminton Championship at Lima on Sunday. “It was a good tournament for me overall. I had a good chance of becoming the first Indian to clinch the men’s title but could not finish off the match. It would have been a perfect gift for Gopichand sir, whose birthday it is today. Nevertheless, I dedicate this runners-up trophy to my coach,” he said from Peru.

Talking about the final, Verma said he started well but could not continue with the momentum. “I was in good rhythm in the first game. I played a few good attacking shots. However, in the second game my opponent changed strategy. He began to attack and that put pressure on me,’’ he said.

The 16-year-old admitted that Hung Lu, who is 106th in the senior rankings, was a much fitter player. “He is more experienced and fitter than me. That made the difference,” he said.

Verma is the third Indian after Aparna Popat and Saina Nehwal to enter the final of the junior world badminton championship. Saina is the only Indian to win.

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