Semis an all BD affair

Following their exploits in the men's singles event, hosts Bangladesh secured medals in the men's and women's doubles events of the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Junior Challenge to set all Bangladeshi semifinals at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium yesterday.

In the men's doubles quarterfinals, the junior shuttlers defeated their overseas rivals to ensure that the semifinals are an all Bangladeshi affair with the Hanif Mohammed and Abdul Hamid Lukman pair beating Bhutan's Tshewang Rinzin and Jamyang Tenzin pair by 21-7, 21-9 points.

Similarly, the Rajesh Chandra Dey and Rownak Nabi Priyo pair beat Sri Lanka's Dunshan Hettiarachchi and Nilanka Randilukshan pair by 19-21, 21-18, 21-9 points.

Gourab Singha and Mangal Singha outclassed the Maldivian pair of Mohamed Arsalaan Ali and Ahmed Nibal by 21-11, 21-13 points while the Syed Saker Mohammad and Sibghat Ullah pair defeated the Jimba Sangay Lhendup and Yeshi Rabten pair 21-12, 21-6.

Meanwhile, Phuntsho Dema and Kinley Wangmo, the only Bhutanese pair in women's doubles, lost to Bangladesh's Rahima Jarin and Kamelia Islam pair by 21-12, 21-11 points.

Rahima also moved into the women's singles semifianls alongside Urmi Akter with the latter handing an easy 21-8, 21-1 points defeat to Bhutan's Thinley Wangmo to set a semifinal clash against the tournament's top seed, Ruhi Rau, who beat Bangladesh's Rasma Akter by 21-11, 21-12 points.

On the other hand, Rahima faced a bit of a challenge from compatriot Farbin Binte Emdad before defeating her by 21-17, 11-21, 21-15 points to set up a semifinal encounter with the tournament's second seed, Treesa Jolley of India, who beat Bangladesh's Farjana Akter 21-4, 21-6 in another quarterfinal fixture.

In mixed doubled, three Bangladeshi pairs and one Indian pair moved into the semifinals after defeating their respective rivals.