Bespectacled Srushti Haleangadi, a 15-year-old girl from Mumbai Suburban District, made a terrific impact while making the women’s singles final at the first Maharashtra state ranking table tennis tournament, which concluded at Pune on Wednesday. Srushti, though lost to the ultimate champion Senhora D’Souza, a top ranked player from Mumbai City district, she gave ample evidence of her rapid rise this year.
SRUSHTI HALEANGADI
Shrusti, a school girl from Dahisar Vidymandir, has been earning laurels not only at state, but at national and international level tournaments as well. Having took to the game at the age of seven at Dahisar Sports Foundation in 2007, This Dahisar Vidymandir school girl has made rapid strides in the very first year. She was selected to represent Mumbai Suburban District team in the State Championships in 2009 at Sangli. Thereafter she hasn’t looked back. From 2009, she has been representing Mumbai Suburban District, Maharashtra State and State schools teams in various National level tournaments.Within a space of seven years, Srushi has won a around 111 medals – 38 Gold, 30 Silver and 43 Bronze – at various State, National and International tournaments.
Starting with MSSA ‘Bournvita Confidence Award’ in 2010 in the girls under-15 category, Srushti won bronze medal in her very first international tournament at India Open in 2013- An IITF Global Premium Junior Circuit Tournament. She became state champion in her age group in 2011, 2013 and 2014. The year 2014-15 proved to be a golden year for her. She was ranked No.2 in district, No.1 in State and No.2 in national ranking in girls under-15. Her dream of representing India became a reality when she was selected to represent the country in various international tournaments. Overall the year was her best as she captured eight medals – 3 golds and 5 silvers.
Srushti was crowned the “SOUTH ASIAN CHAMPION “ in Under -15 girls by winning the “South Asian Federation Table Tennis Championship 2015” held at New Delhi. She was the only girl from India to represent “TEAM ASIA“ in the “ITTF World Cadet Challenge 2015” held in Egypt . Srushti won bronze medal in girls doubles and also a bronze for Team Asia in the Girls Team event. .
Srushti also represented “Indian School Team “ in Pacific School Games 2015” held inAdelaide, Australia. There she won a silver medal each in girls singles and girls team events and also a bronze medal in mixed doubles.
It has been a long journey for Srushti so far and she dreams to play for India at the Olympic Games some day. “I must give credit to my parents, coaches and my school teachers who have been instrumental in helping me reach where I am today,” Srushti said.