Indian paddler G. Sathiyan has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to clinch a men’s singles title at a WTT Feeder Series event. In a thrilling final at the WTT Feeder Beirut 2024, Sathiyan overcame compatriot Manav Thakkar 3-1 (6-11 11-7 11-7 11-4) to secure the coveted trophy.
Sathiyan’s path to the final was not without its challenges. Seeded No. 11, he faced stiff competition from No. 5 seed Harmeet Desai and top seed Chuang Chih-Yuan, both of whom he defeated in hard-fought matches. However, it was the final against Thakkar that will remain etched in Sathiyan’s memory.
Despite losing the first game, Sathiyan displayed remarkable resilience and determination to turn the match in his favor. He dominated the next three games, showcasing his exceptional skills and tactical prowess. This victory marks Sathiyan’s first men’s singles success at a WTT event and his first singles title at an international ranking event since the ITTF Czech International Open 2021.
In the women’s singles, Xia Lian Ni continued her impressive form by capturing her second WTT Feeder title. The 60-year-old age-defying star outplayed Suh Hyo Won in straight games (11-9 11-5 11-5) to claim the trophy. Ni’s victory is a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional talent.
The Indian pair of Manav Thakkar and Manush Utpalbhai Shah narrowly missed out on the men’s doubles title, losing to the Cuban duo of Andy Pereira and Jorge Campos in a closely contested match (11-5, 7-11 11-13 12-14). However, India did secure a mixed doubles title as Diya Chitale and Manush Shah defeated Manav and Archana Kamath 3-1 (11-6 10-12 11-6 11-6).
Sathiyan’s historic triumph and the strong performances of other Indian paddlers at the WTT Feeder Beirut 2024 are a testament to the growing strength of Indian table tennis. These achievements will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Indian paddlers to strive for excellence on the international stage.
