Bengal's Doyel Dey Wins Two National Billiards Titles
In the sub-junior (Under-19) final, Doyel Dey edged past Kaivalya V. of Karnataka 69-55 while in the junior (U-21) title round, she beat Mariam Agnish of Tamil Nadu 67-46 at the Bengal Rowing Club.
City-bred Doyel Dey has become the first girl from Bengal to clinch two National Billiards titles in the same championship, pocketing both the junior and sub-junior category crowns here on Sunday.
In the sub-junior (Under-19) final, Dey edged past Kaivalya V. of Karnataka 69-55 while in the junior (U-21) title round, she beat Mariam Agnish of Tamil Nadu 67-46 at the Bengal Rowing Club.
The class XI girl from North Calcutta, who took up the cue just three years ago, played calmly to shove away her challengers quite comfortably.
"I tried to concentrate and focus on the shot and that really helped me today," she said.
Dey hopes that her win will encourage more girls from West Bengal to take to the green baize. Currently, she is the only girl to play cue sports at her two clubs -- YMCA College Branch and Oswal.
Scores (Best of one hour time basis):
Girls U-21 final: Doyel Dey (West Bengal) beat Mariam Agnish (Tamil Nadu) 67-46.
Semi-finals: Doyel Dey (West Bengal) beat M. Janani (Tamil Nadu) 62-57; Mariam Agnish (Tamil Nadu) beat Kaivalya V. (Karnataka) 52-45.
Girls U-19 final: Doyel Dey (West Bengal) beat Kaivalya V. (Karnataka) 69-55.
Semi-finals: Doyel Dey (West Bengal) beat Mariam Agnish (Tamil Nadu) 82-31; Kaivalya V. (Karnataka) beat M. Janani (Tamil Nadu) 71-46.