Mumbai, Nov. 10 -- Both the U-19 girl and boy champions are 17. Both picked up a racquet at the age of eight. Both swear by the smash as their go-to weapon. And both won the finals of the Yonex-Sunrise Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra Junior Badminton Tournament on Sunday in straight sets. But that's where the similarities end. For Naishaa Bhatoye, who represented the host club, the girls' singles title was never in doubt. She dictated the pace from the first rally, defeating Yuvika Bajaj 21-5, 21-11 in a final that wrapped up in barely 20 minutes. Her fluid court coverage and quick anticipation left little room for resistance. "It's always special to win at home," she said. "The experience I've gained over these past years have really made the difference." A former world No. 5 in the U-19 category, Naishaa has had a standout 2024, claiming seven international junior titles, among them the Spanish Junior Open, Cyprus Junior Open and Portugal Junior International. The teenager has since stepped confidently into the senior circuit in 2025, earning a bronze at the FZ Forza Future Series and a silver at the Victor Bulgaria Challenge. Between tournaments, her days unfold at the Gopichand Academy, where she trains intensively while trying to make time for her upcoming Class 12 board exams. Once the face of young Saina Nehwal in the biopic 'Saina', Naishaa now seems to be tracing her own version of that story. In contrast, the boys' singles final demanded far more effort. Ved Bhoir secured his first ever state title with a 21-19, 21-13 win over Tanishq Kenjale of Satara in a match that featured long rallies and measured play from both ends. Bhoir relied on his ability to stay patient. "My strength is stamina," he said after the match. "I know my opponent will start to tire and that's when I attack."...