Ashoka Ultimate Championship: A great success

The action unfolds at Ashoka’s Ultimate Frisbee. Pic Courtesy: Ninaad Kulshreshtha.

The second edition of Ashoka’s Ultimate Frisbee tournament was bigger and better this time around. Abhay Ghat Fire, the extremely talented team from Ahmedabad retained their title by defeating Delhi-based GK mad in an intense and hard-fought finale. The two home teams of Ashoka, Hammerheads and Hawks, meanwhile, finished 4th and 12th respectively. A young team from Delhi, Maitri Champs, won the Spirit of the Game award.

Held on the 1st and 2nd of April in Ashoka University, 13 teams battled it out over two days to win the Ashoka Ultimate Championship. Apart from local teams from the Delhi-NCR region, there were teams from other major centres of Ultimate Frisbee in India like Ahmedabad, Patna and Lucknow. Along with Abhay Ghat Fire from Ahmedabad, Delhi’s GK Mad, Ashoka Hammerheads and Udaipur’s Flying Foxes were some of the other favourites who had their eyes on the trophy.

The tournament is a hallmark since it marks the beginning of the Regional Challenger tournament organised by the UPAI (Ultimate Players Association of India). This tour looks to target new and upcoming teams in B-tier Ultimate centres, facilitating their growth and development. The tournament allowed for mentors to play and support their teams. Some of the mentors have represented India in international Ultimate championships while others are players in the top clubs of the country.

On the first day, every team played a minimum of 4 matches with matches starting from 10 AM continuing all the way up to 2 AM on the morning of the next day. In the intense heat of the summer, teams battled it out in close matches to either improve or retain their seeding. One of the nail-biting matches was between GK Mad and Flying Foxes as they took it to universal point where GK Mad displayed amazing guts by winning it.

But the highlight of the first day was the match between Ashoka Hammerheads and GK Mad where once again, GK Mad managed to get on the winning side. Either team scored one after the other in a very action-packed game. It was heartening to see such a crunch match being played with such good spirit. Day 1 ended with Hammerheads defeating St. Stephen’s Hawabaaz to retain their position in the top 4 along with Abhay Ghat Fire, GK Mad and Flying Foxes.

Day 2 saw the first semi-final between Abhay Ghat Fire, the defending champions winning against Ashoka Hammerheads despite the latter putting up a strong fight. Much more accustomed to the wind and conditions, all the teams on an overall basis, put up much a better show. Following more seeded matches, the final was held between Abhay Ghat Fire and GK Mad. Both the teams were well qualified to be in the finals.

The spectators were treated to some amazing grabs and layouts that put their hearts in their mouths in a closely contested final. While GK Mad fought really hard, Abhay Ghat Fire got the better of them this time, successfully defending their title to win the second edition of Ashoka Ultimate Championship.

The Winners of AUC’ 17- Abhay Ghat Fire. Picture Courtesy: Punyasloka Panda.

The medals were given away by some of the very talented mentors who, with great joy, watched the development of so much new talent. The Spirit Award which is awarded for showing positive spirit and respect for the game and opposition on the field was given to Maitri Champs, a team of small but very talented kids.

The Ultimate frenzy in the air was unmistakable. While matches were played with high levels of intensity, there was no lack of good spirit and positivity in the air. Teams were seen cheering for each other, having a great time, truly showing us what this sport is really about. The conglomeration of new and developing teams simply highlighted the enormous potential for the growth of this sport in the country.

People of all ages took to the field. Picture Courtesy: Punyasloka Panda.

Yasha Khuthia and Susovan Mahapatra, the directors of the tournament and also students of Ashoka University, had this to say about the success of AUC, “It was enthralling to see young kids with so much potential. AUC’17 also presented an opportunity for seasoned players to give back to the ultimate community what they’d received from it and more.”

The sight of so much potential for the future of Ultimate in India is truly heartening and more such events will definitely help to put this sport in the limelight.

Edited by Staff Editor