Achanta Sharath Kamal, India's flag-bearer for the Paris Olympics, has had an illustrious career spanning five Olympic appearances. From sharing a meal with tennis legend Roger Federer to taking a set off Chinese table tennis icon Ma Long, Sharath has created countless memories on the Olympic stage.
Sharath's Olympic journey began in Athens in 2004, where he met double trap shooting silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore before the final. In Beijing in 2008, despite suffering a knee injury, Sharath fought valiantly to reach the second round, defeating Spain's Alfredo Carneros and pushing Austrian friend Chen Weixing to five sets.
London 2012 marked a turning point for Sharath, as he helped the Indian men's team qualify for the Olympics for the first time. In Rio 2016, he faced Ma Long, the eventual gold medalist, and managed to win a set, a testament to his resilience and determination.
Tokyo 2020, postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented unique challenges for Sharath. Despite limited training resources in India, he persevered and made a significant impact, winning a set against Ma Long once again.
Sharath's Olympic experiences have not been limited to table tennis. In Athens, he witnessed the "mamba mentality" of basketball legend Kobe Bryant during the opening ceremony. In Beijing, he observed the camaraderie among international athletes, including Federer and Andy Roddick.
As he prepares for his potential final Olympic appearance in Paris, Sharath believes that the team qualification could be a catalyst for the growth of table tennis in India. His unwavering spirit and dedication to the sport continue to inspire young athletes and fans alike.
Tags: #AchantaSharathKamal, #Olympics, #TableTennis, #RogerFederer, #MaLong
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