Ace Odisha shuttler Rutaparna  Panda achieved the biggest success of her career with a double crown in the JE Wilson 2019 Ghana Open International Badminton Tournament, held at Trust Emporium Sports Centre in Accra, Ghana from 18 to 21 July, 2019.

Inmate of Hyderabad-based Gopichand Badminton Academy, Rutaparna clinched the double, emerging champion in women’s doubles and mixed doubles events with Kukkapalli Maneesha and Shlok Ramchandran respectively as partners.

In women doubles, Rutaparna and Maneesha beat second-seeded Nigerian pair of Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan and Uchechukwu Deborah Ukeh in the grueling final 23-21, 18-21, 20-18. Earlier in the semifinals, the Indian pair eliminated top seeds Egypt combination of Doha Hany and Hadia Hosny 21-4, 21-5.

Cuttack lass Rutaparna and Ramchandran won the mixed doubles title, compatriots and and top-seeds MR Arjun and K Maneesha 21-19, 21-15. Earlier in the semifinals, Rutaparna and Ramchandran got the better of third-seeded Nigerian opponents Enejoh Abah and Peace Orji 21-13, 21-6.
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PHOTO: Rutaparna Panda with partner Sholk Ramchandran and other mixed-doubles medalists in Accra on 21 July, 2019.