Maharashtra's 15-year-old Aarav Sancheti retained the junior boys' (U-19) title at the second Heyball National Championships in Dehradun, defeating Karnataka's 13-year-old Mohammed Mustafa 6-4 in a closely fought final. The victory marked Sancheti's fifth National crown of the year. In the girls' event, Karnataka's Natasha Chethan advanced to the final with a dominant 4-0 win.

Dehradun: Maharashtra’s Aarav Sancheti overcame mid-match blues and a resurgent Mohammed Mustafa of Karnataka, winning 6-4 to retain his junior boys’ (U-19) title in the second Heyball National Championships late on Tuesday evening.

Champion Sancheti, 15, began in whirlwind fashion, jumping to a quick 3-0 lead in the race-to-6 title clash. However, promising 13-year-old Mustafa rallied in splendid style, pulling back two racks to take the fight to his rival.

Sancheti could have gone up 4-2 but missed an easy black to the top right-hand pocket. Mustafa took the offering with glee, making a fine clearance to restore parity. The two cueists then split the next two racks as well.

Playing much more confidently now, Mustafa began to call the shots. He could have gone up 5-4, but missed the final black along the rail. Sancheti, with all his stripes on the table, fought back with a brilliant clearance to go up 5-4.