61st Maharashtra State Kho-Kho Championship Reaches Semi-Final Stage in Beed
The semi-final line-up is confirmed with Dharashiv Vs Nashik and Thane Vs Pune in the women’s category, while Dharashiv Vs Pune and Mumbai Suburban Vs Sangli in the men’s.
Beed/ Sports Reporter- Bal Toraskar
The 61st Men’s and Women’s Maharashtra State Kho-Kho Championship, being held at the Shrimati Yogi Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sports Complex, Beed, has entered its decisive phase with the semi-final match-ups officially confirmed. In the women’s section, Dharashiv will face Nashik, while Thane will take on Pune. In the men’s category, Dharashiv will clash with Pune, and Mumbai Suburban will lock horns with Sangli, setting the stage for high-voltage encounters and growing excitement ahead of the finals.
Dharashiv Storms into Semi-Finals
In the women’s quarter-final, Dharashiv registered a commanding one-innings, 23-point victory (33–10) over Mumbai Suburban, underlining their strong title credentials. Dharashiv’s success was built on the solid performances of Sandhya Surwase (4.10 min defence, 2 points), Maithili Pawar (3.00 min defence), Suhani Dhotre (8 points), Pranali Kale (6 points), and Ashwini Shinde (unbeaten 1.50 & 2.20 min defence, 4 points). Mumbai Suburban’s resistance came from Devika Ahire (1.10 min defence) and Sakshi Wafelkar (1.20 & 1.40 min defence, 2 points).
Thane Overcomes Sangli with Disciplined Play
In another women’s encounter, Thane defeated Sangli by 8 points while maintaining a 5.00-minute time advantage. Thane’s disciplined defence featured Dhanashree Kank (2.45 min), Sakshi Torane (2.19 min), Geetanjali Narsale (2.20 min), Priyanka Bhopi (1.45 min), and Diksha Katekar (2.00 min). Sangli fought back through Swapnali Tamkhade (1.20 min defence), Diksha Patil (1.15 min defence), and Pratiksha Birajdar (2.00 & 1.20 min defence, 8 points) but fell short.
Pune and Nashik Seal Semi-Final Berths
Pune delivered a dominant performance by thrashing Ahilyanagar by one innings and 41 points (51–10). Pune’s victory was powered by Dipali Rathod (4.00 min defence, 10 points), Bhagyashree Bade (2.50 min defence, 2 points), Shweta Wagh (3.00 min defence, 4 points), Sakshi Vasave (2.40 min defence), and Shweta Navale (2.50 min defence, 2 points). Ahilyanagar’s Bhagyashree Ubale and Samiksha Mali showed determination despite the defeat.
In the fourth women’s match, Nashik edged past Ratnagiri by 8 points (28–20). Nashik’s all-rounder Sarita Diva (2.20 & 2.10 min defence, 4 points) stood out, while Ratnagiri received notable efforts from Payal Pawar (1.10 & 2.50 min defence, 8 points), Apeksha Sutar (1.50 min defence), and Divya Palye (4 points).
Men’s Section: Mumbai Suburban Opens with Convincing Win
In the men’s quarter-finals, Mumbai Suburban defeated Satara by 10 points while holding a 7-minute advantage (30–20). Mumbai Suburban’s key contributors were Harshad Hatankar (2 min defence, 6 points), Rishikesh Murchawade (1 min defence, 6 points), Ramchandra Zore (1.20 & 1.30 min defence, 4 points), and Dheeraj Bhave (1.50 min defence). Satara’s fight was led by Digvijay Masal (1.20 min defence, 6 points), Lokesh Jadhav (unbeaten 1.40 min defence), and Om Bodare (1.20 min defence, 2 points).
Pune Downs Thane in Tight Contest
In a closely fought match, Pune defeated Thane 33–28, winning by 5 points and retaining 6.40 minutes. Pune’s charge was driven by Pratik Waikar (2.00 & 1.40 min defence), Ravikiran Kajve (8 points), Shubham Thorat (1.20 min defence, 12 points), Milind Kurpe (1.20 & 1.30 min defence), and Shivram Shingade (1.30 & 1.20 min defence). Thane responded strongly through Shubham Utekar (1.40 min defence, 10 points), Shubham Jadhav (1.00 & 1.30 min defence, 2 points), and Aditya Patil (1.30 & 1.00 min defence, 2 points).
Dharashiv Overcomes Mumbai in Thriller
Dharashiv produced a spirited display to defeat Mumbai 31–26 by 5 points while holding a 1.30-minute margin. Dharashiv’s heroes included Jitendra Vasave (1.30 min and unbeaten 2.20 min defence, 4 points), Shyam Dhoble (7 points), Bhartsingh Vasave (1.30 min defence), Raj Jadhav (1.30 & 1.20 min defence, 2 points), Aniket Pawar (2.20 min defence), and Hardya Vasava (4 points). Mumbai’s challenge was kept alive by Vedant Desai (2.10 & 1.20 min defence, 2 points), Piyush Gholam (1.00 min defence, 8 points), and Samyak Jadhav (1.10 & 2.10 min defence, 4 points).
Solapur Prevails in Dramatic Extra-Time Finish
The final quarter-final between Sangli and Solapur turned into a nail-biting thriller, ending 36–36 at regulation time. In extra play, Solapur clinched victory by 2 points while retaining 50 seconds (54–52). Solapur’s standout performers were Saurabh Chavan (1.20 min defence, 10 points), Neeraj Koli (8 points), Ajay Kashyap (1.10 & 1.30 min defence, 6 points), Juber Sheikh (1.15 & 1.20 min defence, 4 points), and Sujit Metkari (1.25 min defence, 8 points). Sangli showed grit through Atish Talap (1.20 & 2.10 min defence, 2 points), Milind Chavarekar (1.00 & 1.00 min defence, 10 points), Akshay Masal (1.12 & 1.18 min defence, 6 points), and Prem Randive (10 points).
