Harpal Singh Bedi
Meiraba Luwang claims Korea Junior Open title; Sathish Kumar wins bronze
Living up to his top billing Maisnam Meiraba Luwang brush aside 15th seed Lee Hak Joo of Korea 21-10, 21-13 to clinch the boys’ singles U-19 title at the Woncheon Yonex Korea Junior Open International Challenge in Miryang, Korea on Saturday.
The top seed Indian needed just 36 minutes to wrap up the title clash .
Also claiming the bronze in the same category was eighth seed Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, who had bowed out to Luwang 16-21, 22-24 in a gritty semi-final contest on Friday.
Luwang, who hails from Manipur, currently holds the No. 9 spot in the World Junior Rankings, was impressive throughout the week and dropped just one game in six matches. This is the 16-year-old rising star’s third international title this year following his triumphs at the Russian Junior White Nights 2019 and India Junior International 2019.
Luwang would especially be pleased with the way he rebounded after a disappointing exit from the World Junior Championships last month, where he crashed out in the Round of 64.