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Sharath Kamal Extends Table Tennis Career, Aims for 2025 World Championships

Sharath Kamal Extends Table Tennis Career, Aims for 2025 World Championships

By September 4, 2024 0

Indian table tennis legend Sharath Kamal, despite his initial plans to retire after his fifth Olympic appearance, has decided to extend his professional career for another season. The 42-year-old has been appointed captain of the Indian men’s team for the upcoming Asian Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Kamal, who is currently ranked 37th in the world, will also participate in the China Smash tournament later this month before heading to Kazakhstan for the Asian Championships, which begin on October 7. He aims to continue playing until the 2025 World Championships in Doha.

Beyond his playing career, Kamal is also exploring opportunities in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). He is the first Indian to be elected to the ITTF athletes’ commission and is also part of the athletes’ body in the Indian Olympic Association.

Kamal has ruled out competing in the 2028 Olympics but is considering participating in the 2026 Asian Games. He believes his body is still in good condition and is able to balance his personal life with his professional commitments.

Despite a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, where he exited the individual events early and India lost in the pre-quarterfinals of the team championship, Kamal remains optimistic about the future of Indian table tennis. He aims to use his experience and connections to create a stronger structure for the sport in India and attract more corporate sponsorships.

Categories: Tennis
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Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra to Lead India at Asian Table Tennis Championships

Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra to Lead India at Asian Table Tennis Championships

By September 4, 2024 0

Indian Table Tennis Squad Announced for Asian Championships

Veteran Sharath Kamal and star player Manika Batra will lead the Indian contingent at the upcoming 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships, scheduled to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan from October 7 to 13.

The Indian Table Tennis Federation (TTFI) has named a strong squad for the tournament, which will serve as a crucial qualification event for the World Table Tennis Championships and the Asian Games.

The men’s team, captained by Sharath Kamal, includes Manav Thakkar, Harmeet Desai, G. Sathiyan, and Manush Shah. The women’s team, led by Manika Batra, comprises Sreeja Akula, Ayhika Mukherjee, Diya Chital, and Sutirtha Mukherjee.

The selection process was based on world ranking, international experience, and performance at the national level. The Indian team has been training under the guidance of foreign expert Massimo Constantini, who has been working to enhance their skills and strategies.

“I am hopeful they will put their best foot forward in the Astana championships,” said Constantini.

The Indian team had a successful outing at the Paris Olympics, with the women’s team reaching the quarterfinals and the men’s team losing to China in the round of 16. It was the first time that India qualified for team events at the Olympics.

The Asian Championships hold significant importance for the Indian team as it provides an opportunity to qualify for major international tournaments. The team will be aiming to perform well and secure a berth in the World Table Tennis Championships and the Asian Games.

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Indian Table Tennis Team Set for Historic Paris Olympics Qualification

Indian Table Tennis Team Set for Historic Paris Olympics Qualification

By July 27, 2024 0

Commonwealth Games champion Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra will lead India’s six-member table tennis team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Kamal, 41, will make his fifth and final Olympic appearance, joined by Manav Thakkar and Harmeet Desai in the men’s team. Batra, in her third Olympics, will team up with Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath in the women’s team.

India’s qualification in both men’s and women’s team table tennis events marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time the country has qualified in these categories since their introduction in 2008.

Sports entrepreneur Vita Dani, chairperson of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), expressed optimism about India’s chances at the Olympics. She highlighted the improved performances of women paddlers, with Batra and Akula securing crucial wins in the lead-up to the Games. Dani also credited UTT for its role in India’s progress in table tennis.

Dani emphasized the importance of the Olympics for Indian paddlers, stating that a strong performance would be a testament to their years of hard work. She also discussed the upcoming UTT season, which will run from August 22 to September 7.

Dani believes that UTT has created a platform for Indian paddlers, giving them exposure and boosting their self-belief. She pointed to the success of Batra and Akula as evidence of the league’s impact on women’s table tennis in India.

Dani also noted the significance of team play in table tennis, despite its traditional focus on individual competition. She expressed excitement about India’s qualification in all categories at the Olympics, setting a new benchmark for the sport in the country.

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Anju Bobby George Questions IOA's Flag Bearer Decision for Paris Olympics

Anju Bobby George Questions IOA’s Flag Bearer Decision for Paris Olympics

By March 29, 2024 0

Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to appoint Sharath Kamal as the flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked controversy, with legendary athlete Anju Bobby George questioning the omission of Neeraj Chopra.

George, a Commonwealth and Asian Games medalist, took to Instagram to express her surprise at the decision, stating that Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, should have been considered. She questioned the IOA’s rationale, especially since the federations, including table tennis, have yet to announce their Olympic teams.

Sharath Kamal, a 10-time national table tennis champion, has an impressive record, including 13 Commonwealth Games medals and two Asian Games medals. However, Chopra’s Olympic gold medal and world ranking of 88 make him a more deserving candidate for the honor, according to George.

The IOA has also appointed Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom as the chef de mission for the Paris Games. Kom, a six-time world champion and five-time Asian champion, is the first female boxer to win an Olympic medal for India.

Gagan Narang, a bronze medalist in the 10m air rifle event at the 2012 London Olympics, has been appointed to head the shooting village operations for the Paris Olympics. Shooting has not produced an Indian medalist since London 2012, despite earning India its first individual Olympic medal in Beijing 2008.

The Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The Indian contingent will be led by a distinguished team of officials, including Sharath Kamal, MC Mary Kom, and Gagan Narang.

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India Eyes 2030 Youth Olympics, 2036 Summer Olympics

India Eyes 2030 Youth Olympics, 2036 Summer Olympics

By March 28, 2024 0

India has set its sights on hosting the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Summer Olympics, according to Union Minister Anurag Thakur. Speaking at the NDTV Yuva Conclave, Thakur expressed confidence that India will improve its medal tally at the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024.

Thakur’s announcement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statement at the IOC session in Mumbai last year, where he expressed India’s desire to host the Olympics in 2036. The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, followed by Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032.

Meanwhile, veteran table tennis player Sharath Kamal has been named India’s flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kamal, who is a reigning Commonwealth Games champion, expressed his delight at the honor. “It is the biggest honor and fairytale stuff considering it is going to be my fifth and last Olympics,” he said.

Legendary boxer MC Mary Kom has been appointed as the chef de mission of India’s contingent for the Paris Olympics. Kom and former hockey skipper Manpreet Singh were India’s flag bearers at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

India’s Olympic aspirations have received a boost with the appointment of Kamal and Kom. Kamal’s experience and leadership will be invaluable for the Indian team, while Kom’s legendary status will inspire the athletes.

The Indian contingent is expected to perform well at the Paris Olympics, with several athletes having already qualified for the Games. The country’s medal hopes rest on the shoulders of athletes such as Kamal, Kom, wrestler Bajrang Punia, and shooter Manu Bhaker.

India’s bid to host the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Summer Olympics is a testament to the country’s growing sporting prowess. If successful, India will become the first South Asian nation to host the Olympics.

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Sharath Kamal Stuns World No. 13 Jorgic at Singapore Smash

Sharath Kamal Stuns World No. 13 Jorgic at Singapore Smash

By March 13, 2024 0

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.

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Indian Table Tennis Teams Qualify for Olympics for First Time Ever

Indian Table Tennis Teams Qualify for Olympics for First Time Ever

By March 4, 2024 0

Indian table tennis has reached unprecedented heights as both the men’s and women’s teams have secured historic Olympic berths for the first time based on their world rankings. This remarkable achievement marks a watershed moment for the sport in India.

After the conclusion of the World Team Championships Finals in Busan, South Korea, which served as the final qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics, seven spots in the team events remained. These spots were awarded to the highest-ranked teams not yet qualified, and India emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s categories.

In the women’s event, India, ranked 13th in the world, secured its passage to Paris alongside Poland (12th), Sweden (15th), and Thailand. The men’s team, ranked 15th, also booked its ticket to the Olympics, along with Croatia (12th) and Slovenia (11th).

This historic qualification is a testament to the unwavering determination and exceptional talent of the Indian table tennis players. Veteran Sharath Kamal, who will be making his fifth Olympic appearance, expressed his elation on Twitter, stating, “Finally!!!! India qualifies for the team event at the Olympics! Something I have wanted for a long long time! This one is truly special, despite it being my fifth appearance at the Olympics! Kudos to our Women’s Team who also secure a historical quota!”

The Indian teams had narrowly missed out on Olympic berths at the World Team Championships Finals, with the men’s team losing 0-3 to South Korea and the women’s team falling 1-3 to Chinese Taipei in the pre-quarterfinals. However, their impressive world rankings have now earned them a place on the Olympic stage.

This achievement is a significant milestone for Indian table tennis history, as it will be the first time the nation competes in the team event at the Olympics since its inception at the Beijing 2008 Games. The Indian teams will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills against the world’s best and strive for Olympic glory.

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