Badminton

Sharath Kamal, India's veteran table tennis star, is preparing for his fifth and final Olympic Games in Paris. At 42, he recognizes the importance of staying sharp and pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. To achieve this, he has enlisted the help of German coach Chris Pfeiffer and his younger brother, Rajath Kamal.Chris, who previously coached the German under-21 national team, emphasizes the need for Sharath to improve his backhand. "At your age, it's hard to cover the whole table with just your forehand," he says. "So we have to work on your backhand, make that our goal for the Olympics."Sharath acknowledges the value of Chris's guidance. "I need somebody to keep pushing me, getting me out of my comfort zone. Chris is that guy. To keep moving and to stay active is the German way."Rajath, a former player turned performance analyst, provides Sharath with technical insights and helps him break down old habits. "Since I've been playing the game for a long time, certain old habits linger," says Sharath. "But the game has changed. So, he sits down with videos of my play, breaks down those old habits and says 'okay we can't be doing that any longer'."The sibling dynamics between Sharath and Rajath can sometimes be challenging. "Obviously Rajath has a lot of respect for me as a player," says Sharath. "But I want him to tell me what he really thinks."Despite the occasional sibling rivalry, Rajath's calm demeanor helps Sharath stay focused. "What's best about him is he's really calm, so it also helps me stay calm when he's around," says Sharath.Chris and Rajath will both be by Sharath's side in Paris. Chris admires Sharath's dedication and perseverance. "For an athlete of his age to push himself toward a fresh goal is just so inspiring to watch," he says. "I can't say there are too many like him."

Manika Batra and G Sathiyan's Olympic mixed doubles aspirations have been dashed after their disappointing performance at the World Mixed Doubles Olympic Qualification tournament in Havirov. The Indian duo, who had set their sights on the 2024 Paris Games, crashed out in the quarter-finals of their knockouts group, failing to secure one of the four Paris quotas available.Their exit marks a significant setback for India's hopes of winning a table tennis medal at the Olympics. Sathiyan and Sharath Kamal had previously identified mixed doubles as India's most realistic chance of a podium finish, given the 16-team format.The pair's recent form has been a cause for concern. After a promising start following the Tokyo Olympics, they have struggled to maintain their momentum. In the four major WTT events they competed in this year, they failed to progress beyond the first round.Injuries and dips in form have also played a role in their decline. Manika dealt with an ankle issue last year, while Sathiyan has been battling a back injury. The lack of training time as a pair has also been a factor, as they are based in different cities.Despite their efforts to blend their schedules, they have been unable to translate their individual success into a strong mixed doubles partnership. Sathiyan and Manika are still likely to compete in other events at the Paris Olympics, but their mixed doubles dream has come to an end.

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.

Manika Batra, India's top-ranked table tennis player, reflects on her recent victory against Chen Szu-Yu of Chinese Taipei. While the match may not have been her most impressive performance, it showcased her unwavering determination and ability to fight for every point.Batra's victory came after she found herself trailing 2-1 in the match. However, she remained composed and positive, eventually nudging ahead in the deciding game. This mindset is crucial for success in table tennis, as every point counts.As Batra prepares for the upcoming Paris Olympics, where she will compete in the team, singles, and mixed doubles events, she aims to bring this same level of determination to every match. She recognizes that her physical fitness will be key to handling the demanding workload.Batra's sparring partner, Kirill Barabanov, has played a significant role in her development. He has instilled in her the belief that she can turn any match around, regardless of the score. This confidence has been instrumental in her recent successes.While Batra continues to refine her skills, she also emphasizes the importance of physical training. She plans to focus on building stamina and recovery to ensure she is physically prepared for the challenges ahead.Despite the success of her pimpled rubber technique, Batra is constantly seeking ways to improve her game. She is working on enhancing her attacking forehand play to keep opponents guessing.Batra's unwavering determination, positive mindset, and commitment to physical training make her a formidable opponent. As she prepares for the Paris Olympics, she is confident in her ability to deliver strong performances and contribute to India's success.