Determined shuttler Dev’s mixed bag!

Dev Ruparelia (left) and his doubles partner Jagsher Singh Khangurra with their certificates and trophy won at the Sub Junior National Badminton Championships in Hyderabad. Pic/Dev Ruparelia personal collection

Virar-based shuttler Dev Ruparelia, 14, who has been selected to represent India in U-15 singles and doubles at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Junior Championships to be held in Chengdu, China, from October 17-22, is experiencing mixed feelings.

While he is elated that he will wear the India jersey for the first time, he is dejected over missing out on becoming National champion in the U-15 singles and U-15 doubles.

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The teen shuttler, who trains at the Nitesh Badminton Academy in Virar, settled for a bronze at the Sub Junior National Badminton Championships in Hyderabad recently. In the U-15 singles, he lost a close semi-final to second seed Nishchal Chand 22-20, 13-21, 24-26. Meanwhile, in the doubles, he along with his academy mate partner Jagsher Singh Khangurra, won silver. In the final, the fifth seeded pair went down to Hardik Divyansh and Amit Raj Natraj 23-25, 21-15, 23-25.

Talking about the bronze and silver at the Sub Junior Nationals, Dev, a Class IX student of National English High School in Virar, told www.mid-day.com: "The U-15 singles semis and final of the U-15 doubles were close matches. They could have gone either way. I am very happy that I will represent the country for the first time, but [I'm] really frustrated that I missed out on becoming National champion in singles and doubles."

Meanwhile, the youngster is looking forward to the preparatory camp at the National Center of Excellence, Guwahati, from October 1-14. "My aim is to give my best at both events in China. Before that, I am looking forward to the training camp, where I will get to learn from international level coaches. I also hope to pick up some nuances by watching players from other countries in China," said Dev, whose National ranking is six in U-15 singles and 10 in doubles. He ranks 26 in U-17 singles.