Darrshan’s SEA Games debut brings a team bronze

BANGKOK: Darrshan Suresh Kumar and Co settled for a bronze medal after losing 0-3 to hosts Thailand in the semi-finals of the men’s squash team event in the SEA Games yesterday.

The 18-year-old Darrshan, who has returned home from the United States for the national duty, came up short in the first game when he lost 3-6, 2-6 to Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej.

Teammate Mitsuki Leong also lost to Maximus Jones 1-6, 0-6 followed by a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) doubles loss to Pawit Sornlaksup-Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul with teammate Koay Hao Sheng.

Malaysia had defeated Laos 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

Darrshan is keeping his head up and has shifted his focus to the individual event starting today.

“It’s always special playing for my home country. And getting to play against these players here is a rare opportunity for me,” said Darrshan, who is majoring in biomedical engineering at the University of North Dakota.

“We’ve still got lots to learn, especially me. But I’ll get there,” he said.

The women’s team had won a bronze medal after they fell 3-0 to Indonesia yesterday.