Puri district emerged as the new carrom king of Orissa by making a clean sweep of all the three titles in the All-Orissa State and Inter-District Carrom Championship, which was held at Shrastha Hall in Jatini from September 15 to 18.

In the team championship, Puri beat top seed Khurda 2-1 in the final. Earlier in the semifinals, Puri blanked Balasore 3-0, while Khurda drubbed Kandhamal by identical margin. K Bhimaya (Puri) bagged the men`s singles crown, beating Suresh Behera (Khurda) 25-0, 25-10 in the summit clash. R Guru Kumar (Puri) finished third, defeating James Pradhan (Khurda) 19-18, 17-14.

The title in the veteran singles category went to G P Nabha (Puri), who prevailed over Himansu Sekhar Mishra in the final 21-18, 25-13. The third places was claimed by L M Rao (Khurda), who got the better of his district-mate Fiaz Mohammad. Altogether 100 players from 20 districts took part in the championship, which was hosted by Khurda District Carrom Association.
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PHOTO: Prize winners, officials and guests at the closing function of the State and Inter-District Carrom Championship in Jatni on September 18, 2011.