Sharath Kamal, the 41-year-old Indian table tennis legend, has pulled off a stunning upset at the prestigious Singapore Smash tournament. On Wednesday, he defeated world No. 13 Darko Jorgic of Slovenia 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9) to advance to the singles Round of 16.
Kamal, who is currently ranked 88th in the world, displayed remarkable resilience after losing the first game. He fought back to claim the next three games, showcasing his exceptional skills and determination. This victory marks a significant comeback for Kamal, who has faced challenges in singles competition in recent times.
The veteran paddler has been working tirelessly in the off-season to regain his peak form. His goal is to excel at the World Team Championships, which offer Paris Olympics spots. While he contributed to India’s team success at the World Championships last month, his performance in Singapore suggests that he is returning to his best.
After winning three qualifying rounds, Kamal defeated Nicolas Burgos 3-0 on Monday. His triumph over Jorgic further solidifies his resurgence. With the team spot for the Paris Games secured, Kamal’s singles revival could make him a contender for individual representation in Paris.
In the women’s doubles, Asian Games bronze medallists Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee suffered a 3-1 (4-11, 14-12, 3-11, 9-11) defeat to the Romanian-Spanish pair of Adina Diaconu and Maria Xiao in the Round of 16.
