Text: Ganesh Nadar

A beautiful girl who happens to play squash. That's the impression you get when you meet Dipika Pallikal.

She could easily have chosen a career towards becoming Miss Universe, but conquering the world of squash is priority for her.

And going by her achievements so far it is imperative to say that Dipika has her priorities right.

Her recent win at the British Junior Open (under-17 category) at Sheffield-- where she put paid to the hopes of top-seeded Egyptian Heba El Torky of a fifth straight title - gives ample testimony of her credentials as a squash player.

For the record, it was Dipika's first win in five attempts at the flagship tournament-- she failed to make it past the quarter-finals in arlier attempts-- and gave her a much needed breakthrough.

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