Yogesh Pardeshi wins 2023 US Open Carrom Championship 

With a mesmerizing performance Yogesh Pardeshi from India, a three-time world champion, clinched the coveted singles title in 2023 US Open Carrom Championship in the historic city of Frederick, Maryland.

In a true spectacle of carrom skills, captivating the audience with an outstanding display of precision and strategy, Pardeshi triumphed over Anil Vemuri, also from India.

The third-place spot was secured by multiple-time Sri Lankan national champion Chamil Cooray, now representing the Netherlands.

RELATED: 2023 US Open Carrom Championship to feature top world players (August 11, 2023)

Organized by the United States Carrom Association (USCA) and Lakmithuro Carrom Association (LCA), the Sep 8-10 prestigious carrom event, was held in the ballroom of Hampton Inn, Frederick, Maryland.

In the doubles format, the dynamic duo of Pardeshi and Vemuri emerged as the champions overcoming tough competition from their arch-rival pair, Cooray and Louis Fernandes of Canada.

In the Challengers division, Lenus Paul, hailing from Singapore and also ranked as the world’s fifth-best carrom player, faced off against the formidable Rashmi Kumari, a multiple-time women’s world champion from India.

Their showdown was nothing short of spectacular, stretching into a nail-biting three-set battle of wits and precision. In the end, Paul emerged victorious, showcasing incredible skill and composure to overcome Kumari’s attacking style.

In the doubles format of play within the Challengers division, an international pair created fireworks on the carrom board. Two-time US Open champion RD Dinesh Babu, representing India, joined forces with Dr. Shivaram Gowdagere from Texas, USA.

In a thrilling three-set final, they faced off against an all-American pair composed of ex- US national team player Ranjit Sapre from Michigan and Venu Mukkera from Ohio.

Babu and Gowdagere ultimately triumphed, cementing their status as champions of the Challengers division and highlighting the global appeal of carrom.

The tournament brought together carrom enthusiasts from around the world for an unforgettable showcase of talent and sportsmanship.

The championship featured two exciting formats of carrom play: singles and doubles. All players competed within four divisions, namely Champions, Challengers, Enthusiasts, and Amateurs.

This tiered approach ensured that players of varying skill levels had the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete against their peers.

The grand opening ceremony was held in the presence of Frederick city Mayor Michael O’Connor, who performed the customary break on the carrom board, officially declaring the Championship open.

This captivating moment was seen as a powerful symbol of the city’s support for the sport of carrom and its role in fostering unity and international friendship.

The 2023 championship witnessed an unprecedented turnout with more than 140 carrom players flying in from across the globe to compete.

The event attracted champions from seven countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Canada, and the host country, the USA.

Carrom enthusiasts from around the world witnessed the rare and highly coveted occurrence of 5+ slams during the tournament. In carrom, a “slam” signifies the pinnacle of play, where a player pockets all their coins and the queen without missing or allowing their opponent a turn.

Among the standout performers were Preeti Jakhotia and Yogesh Pardeshi, who scored three white slams between them.

These white slams require not only precise pocketing but also strategic positioning of the carrom men, adding an extra layer of complexity to this remarkable achievement.

Additionally, Rashmi Kumari, Madhu Kalya, and Vikas Koshti scored a black slam each. Their flawless execution and unwavering focus demonstrated their mastery of the game and left a lasting impression on spectators and fellow players alike.

Over the course of three thrilling days, a total of 780 matches were played, providing an action-packed experience for both participants and spectators.

To cater to a global audience, more than 100 of these matches were live-streamed, allowing fans from around the world to tune in and witness the excitement firsthand.

The 2023 US Open Carrom Championship also marked a milestone in technological innovation within the sport.

USCA’s 2.0 Self Serve Tech Platform introduced several new capabilities, including the “Follow a Player” feature, which allowed fans to track their favorite competitors throughout the tournament.

Additionally, the tournament incorporated major breakthroughs for the sport of carrom in broadcast and streaming advancements, featuring automated score overlays and high-quality live commentary to enhance the viewing experience.

Among the notable technology developments was the launch of USCA’s online carrom store, a significant step that resonated with the American carrom community.

USCA’s online carrom store was introduced to provide carrom enthusiasts with a trusted and seamless shopping experience for high-quality carrom products.

From browsing a range of products to shopping, making secure payments, managing shipping and delivery, USCA’s online carrom store offers a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.

The store aims to meet the demands of carrom players of the continent, ensuring they have one stop shop access to top-tier equipment, boards, accessories, and more from a source they can trust.

Results

Champions Division

Singles

Winner: Yogesh Pardeshi (India) Runner up: Anil Vemuri (India)

3rd Place: Chamil Cooray (Netherlands)

Doubles

Winners: Yogesh Pardeshi (India) & Anil Vemuri (India)

Runners up: Chamil Cooray (Netherlands) & Louis Fernandes (Canada)

Challengers Division

Singles

Winner: Lenus Paul (Singapore) Runner up: Rashmi Kumari (India)

Doubles

Winners: RD Dinesh Babu (India) & Shivaram Gowdagere (TX)

Runners up: Ranjit Sapre (MI) & Venu Mukkera (OH)

Enthusiasts Division

Singles

Winner: Madhu Kalya (CA)

Runner up: Sam Malisetti (TX) DOUBLES

Winners: Pranay Mehta (VA) & Sam Malisetti (TX)

Runners up: Chetan Pabrekar (CT) & Saravanan Durairajan (CT)

Amateurs Division

Singles

Winner: Narayanan Mudaliar (GA) Runner up: Narayan Subbarao (CA)

Doubles

Winners: Sai Pagadala (NJ) & Mahadeo Wayal (NJ)

Runners up: Mohamed Rizwan Noor (MD) & Seyed Mowlana (MD)

Special Awards & Recognitions

Best New Player: Ahsan Nasir (MD)

Best Woman Player: Preeti Jakhotia (CA)

Best Senior Player: Wajahatullah Mohammed (Canada)

Best Youth Player: Advaith Godogu (VA)

Best Local Player (MD): Ziyard Bawa (MD)

Best New Local Player (MD): Mahesh Alapati (MD)

Slammers: Yogesh Pardeshi (2 whites), Preeti Jakhotia (1 white), Rashmi Kumari (1 black), Madhu Kalya (1 black), and Vikas Koshti (1 black).

Super Host: Roshan Muhsin

MVP Volunteer: Abul Shakeel Baig

Referee Panel: Atul Bhave (Chief), Subbu Laxminarayanapuram, Arun Arora.

Carrom 101 Head Coach & Organizer: Sam Mallisetti

USCA Commentators: Murali Balasubramanyam, Shibu Jose, Madhu Kalya, Subbu Laxminarayanapuram, Dr. Nilesh Mehta, and Bala Parthasarathy.