Kabir Hans lived upto his reputation as the No 1 tennis player of Odisha, winning both the mens singles and doubles titles in the Major Sandeep Mahapatra Memorial Tennis Championship, which was organised by Gurukul Resorts, in association with Khordha District Tennis Association at Gurukul Resorts, Mendhashal, Khurda from 3 to 7 March, 2021.

The tournament, carrying a total prize fund of Rs 1.7 lakh, featured competition in five events. Hans won the singles final, beating Pratyush Mohanty in straight sets. He completed the double crown, winning the doubles final with Pratyush Mohanty as his partner.

Rutuparna Choudhury won the womens singles title, while Debasis Sahoo and Krishna Raj emerged champions in under-16 boys and girls singles events respectively. Mens singles champion and runner-up received Rs 30,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively. Title winners in mens doubles were given Rs 20,000.

Western Odisha Development Council and Odisha Tennis Association (OTQ) president Asit Tripathy and Odisha Public Service Commission Chairman and OTA vice-president Satyjit Mohanty handed over the trophies.

J B Mahapatra (Father of Late Major Sandeep Mahapatra), Tournament Director Dr P K Pradhan, Tournament Coordinator Chinmay Pradhan, Gurukul Tennis Academy Director Santosh Mallik and Tournament Supervisor Prabin Kumar Nayak were present on the occasion.

RESULTS (All finals): Mens Singles: Kabir Hans beat Pratyush Mohanty 6-1, 6-2. Mens Doubles: Kabir Hans-Pratyush Mohanty beat Kumar Anurag Saran-Aditya Satpathy 6-4, 6-0. Womens Singles: Rutuparna Choudhury beat Simran Neha Ekka 7-5, 6-1. Boys Under-16 Singles: Debasis Sahoo beat Kaamlesh Rath 7-6(5), 6-3. Girls Under-16 Singles: Krishna Raj beat Alina Sayed 6-3, 7-5.
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PHOTO: Prize winners with guests and organizing officials at the presentation ceremony in Mendhashal, Khurda on 7 March, 2021.