India’s Jennifer Varghese from Nagpur bagged two bronze medals at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender in Amman, Jordan, 2024. The rapidly rising paddler secured bronze in both the Under-17 singles and Under-19 mixed doubles categories. In the semi-finals of the Under-17 singles, Jennifer was defeated by Chen Min-Hsin of Chinese Taipei, the eventual champion, with a score of 3-1.
Min-Hsin took the first two games 11-6 and 11-5 to take a handsome lead. But Jennifer bounced back in the third winning it 13-11. The Chinese Taipei player then took the next game and the match 11-6.
In earlier matches, Jennifer defeated compatriot Kavya Bhatt 3-1. Kavya won the first game 14-12 but that was the only time she could celebrate in the match. Jennifer showed her skills and took next three games 11-7, 11-8 and 12-10 to claim the match.
In her opening round country. They lost the closely fought semi-final 3-2 to India’s Sarth Mishra and Sayali Wani. Mishra and Wani took the first game 11-9 but Jennifer and Divyansh showed fight and took the next two 11-5 and 11-7. However, Mishra and Wani changed the gears and won the next two 11-9 and 11- 8 to win the semis battle.
Earlier, Jennifer and Divyansh defeated Chinese Taepei’s Hsieh Hsin Jung and Kuo Guan-Hong 3-2 before match, Jennifer beat Frida Zetterstrom of Sweden 3-0.
It was an easy opener for the city lass who trains at Chennai. She won the match 11-9, 11-7, 11-3.
In the Under-19 mixed doubles, Jennifer pairing with Divyansh Srivastava claimed the bronze medal for the outclassing Jordan pair of Taqi Al-Din Al-Najadat and Katia Aranki 3-0. It was an easy battle for the Indian duo who won the match 11-7, 11-4, 11-4.