Goa, June 19 -- Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Aarush Pawaskar gave Goa plenty to cheer for on the opening day of the main draw in the Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub Junior (U-15 & U-17) Ranking Badminton Tournament at the Multipurpose Stadium, Peddem-Mapusa, on Thursday.

In a thrilling Boys Singles U-17 round of 64 match, Aarush held his nerve to clinch a hard-fought 21-14, 9-21, 21-19 victory over Manku Taku of Andhra Pradesh, emerging as the lone Goan winner on a day that saw many local hopefuls bow out after spirited displays.

Among the other Goan participants, several fought valiantly but couldn't cross the first-round hurdle in their respective events.

In Boys Singles U-17, Advait Balakrishnan went down 15-21, 10-21 to ...