The excitement is palpable as India’s table tennis stars prepare to make their mark at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Commonwealth Games champion Sharath Kamal and the dynamic Manika Batra will lead the six-member Indian contingent, aiming to turn the tables on the global stage
Source : TOI
Sharath Kamal, at 41 years old, is set to make his fifth and final appearance at the Games. He will be joined by rising star Manav Thakkar (world No. 62) and national champion Harmeet Desai in the men’s team. Together, they carry the hopes of a nation eager for Olympic success.
Manika Batra, in her third successive Olympics, has risen to a career-best ranking of 24. Her historic run at the Saudi Smash earlier this year catapulted her into the spotlight. Manika will lead the women’s team, accompanied by Sreeja Akula (ranked 41st) and Archana Kamath (world No. 103).
What makes this Indian table tennis contingent even more exciting is their maiden qualification in the team events—both men’s and women’s—at the Olympics since its introduction in 2008. The UTT (Ultimate Table Tennis) has played a crucial role in nurturing talent and elevating India’s standing in the sport.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, sports entrepreneur Vita Dani, the chairperson of UTT, emphasized the primary expectation: that Indian paddlers give their very best at the Olympics. With years of effort invested, the game of table tennis is poised for a breakthrough in Paris.
As the rain-soaked Seine River witnesses sporting history, India’s table tennis stars are ready to create ripples, leaving an indelible mark on the Olympic stage
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