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Indian Table Tennis Squad Announced for Asian ChampionshipsVeteran 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.

In a thrilling UTT 2024 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, rising star Diya Chitale stunned World No. 26 Manika Batra, leading Dabang Delhi TTC to a remarkable 8-7 victory over table toppers PBG Bengaluru Smashers.Despite trailing 7-1, Dabang Delhi TTC staged a stunning comeback, winning seven consecutive games. Chitale's 3-0 (11-6, 11-10, 11-8) triumph over Batra proved pivotal.Earlier, PBG Bengaluru Smashers had dominated, with Alvaro Robles and Lily Zhang securing victories in the first men's and women's singles, respectively. However, Orawan Paranang and G Sathiyan sparked the Delhi-based franchise's resurgence with a 2-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-8) mixed doubles win over Manika and Robles.Sathiyan then blanked Jeet Chandra 3-0 (11-10, 11-6, 11-5), setting the stage for Chitale's heroics. The youngster's impressive performance against Batra showcased her immense potential.In another exciting clash, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis defeated debutants Jaipur Patriots 9-6. Ankur Bhattacharjee, Suthasini Sawettabut, Natalia Bajor, Anirban Ghosh, Joao Monteiro, and Bajor contributed to the victory.PBG Bengaluru Smashers remain atop the standings with 48 points, while Dabang Delhi TTC sits second with 41 points. Puneri Paltan Table Tennis is fourth with 28 points, and Jaipur Patriots is fifth with 25 points.

Star Spanish paddler Alvaro Robles will lead PBG Bengaluru Smashers in the IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 as team captain. Robles, 33, will spearhead a talented sextet, which includes Indian ace Manika Batra, USA sensation Lily Zhang, youngsters Jeet Chandra and Taneesha Kotecha, and the highly experienced Amalraj Anthony.Robles, a two-time Olympian, has qualified for the playoffs in all three of his previous UTT appearances. He starred in last season's UTT final, sweeping Indian great Achanta Sharath Kamal 3-0.Punit Balan, CEO of Punit Balan Group, owners of PBG Bengaluru Smashers, said: "We are delighted to have Alvaro Robles as the captain of the PBG Bengaluru Smashers. Alvaro's track record speaks for itself-he's a proven champion with the heart of a leader."Robles' remarkable achievements include a historic silver medal at the 2019 World Table Tennis Championships in Budapest, Hungary, making him the first Spaniard to reach such heights in the sport. He also won a Mediterranean Games gold in 2020 and became the first Spanish player to reach the final in an ITTF Challenger Series event the same year."Being named captain of the PBG Bengaluru Smashers is a tremendous honor," said Robles. "Leading such a talented group of players in a prestigious tournament like IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis is a challenge I am eager to embrace."For the third time in UTT, Robles will work under Dutch coach Elena Timina, who herself coached her team to become UTT champion last year. Timina said: "I'm thrilled to be coaching Alvaro Robles again, especially in such an important role as team captain. Alvaro is not only a world-class player but also a strategic thinker who knows how to bring out the best in his teammates."PBG Bengaluru Smashers will begin their IndianOil UTT 2024 campaign on Friday (August 23) with a tie against hosts Chennai Lions. The team will subsequently play Puneri Paltan TT, debutants Jaipur Patriots and Ahmedabad SG Pipers, and Dabang Delhi TTC in their remaining league stage ties.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra's remarkable journey at the Paris Olympics ended in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals on Wednesday, as she succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against higher-ranked Japanese Miu Hirano.Batra, who had scripted history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 at the Olympics, faced a formidable opponent in Hirano. Despite a valiant effort, Batra's uncharacteristic errors proved costly, resulting in a 6-11 9-11 11-9 14-12 8-11 6-11 loss in a match that lasted 47 minutes.The 29-year-old Batra had entered the match with high hopes, having previously defeated France's world number 18 Prithika Pavade 4-0 in the round of 16. However, Hirano's superior experience and skill proved too much for Batra, who suffered her fifth consecutive loss to the Japanese player.Earlier in the day, Batra's compatriot Sreeja Akula had advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's singles competition, providing a glimmer of hope for India in table tennis. Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, had previously reached the round of 32 at the Tokyo Games three years ago.Despite the disappointing result, Batra's performance at the Paris Olympics has been a testament to her determination and resilience. She has once again showcased her exceptional talent and has inspired countless young Indians to pursue their dreams in table tennis.

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.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, will face Anna Hursey of Great Britain in the women's singles opening round at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal, a six-time Olympian, will take on Deni Kozul of Slovenia in the men's singles.Manika, seeded 18th, made history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the round of 32 in singles. She recently achieved a career-best world ranking of No. 24.In other opening round matches, Harmeet Desai will face Abo Yaman of Jordan in men's singles, while Sreeja Akula, seeded 16th, will play Christina Kallberg of Sweden.Sharath Kamal, 41, is leading a six-member Indian contingent, making his fifth Olympic appearance. Manika will participate in her third consecutive Games.Gnanasekaran Sathiyan, a member of India's gold medal-winning men's teams at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been selected as a reserve player.In the women's team event, 11th-seeded India will face fourth-seeded Romania in their opening match. The team includes Manika, Sreeja, and Archana Kamath.The Indian men's team, comprising Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet, will face a tough challenge against top-ranked China in their opening round.The Paris Games will mark the first time that India will compete in the team event at the Olympics. The men's and women's team events in table tennis were introduced at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, wiser after her maiden Olympics appearance in Tokyo, is determined to take a measured approach in the upcoming Paris Games. Focused on taking one match at a time, she believes a medal will not be her primary concern in the initial rounds.Batra, who played a pivotal role in the women's team qualifying for Paris, has learned valuable lessons from her Tokyo experience. "I've learned from my mistakes and my mindset has changed," she said. "I'm calmer and more confident now."Her training regimen has emphasized stamina and agility, with the ultimate goal of challenging for a medal. However, she emphasizes the importance of a gradual approach. "I'll go round by round and not think of a medal too early," she said. "I'll give my best for my country."Batra's success in the WTT Saudi Smash, where she defeated world-class opponents, has boosted her confidence. She credits the growth of women's table tennis in India to platforms like Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), which provide young players with invaluable exposure."UTT has helped us practice and play matches against foreign players," Batra said. "We get good match practice."India will compete in both individual and team events in Paris. After the Olympics, Batra and other top Indian paddlers will join international stars in the UTT 2024, scheduled for August 22 to September 7 in Chennai.

Aman Balgu, Manika Batra's coach, has witnessed her journey from a rising junior to a seasoned star. Their partnership has been marked by both challenges and triumphs, with Balgu playing a pivotal role in shaping Manika's mindset and approach to the game.When Manika approached Balgu in 2022, she was facing setbacks and seeking a fresh perspective. Balgu's unconventional approach, which emphasizes adaptability and reducing perfectionism, has resonated with Manika. He has helped her become more open to new strategies and trust her instincts.Balgu's coaching philosophy extends beyond technical guidance. He creates a supportive environment by limiting discussions about flaws before tournaments, allowing Manika to focus on her strengths. He also maintains regular contact with her family and friends to ensure they provide positive reinforcement.Balgu's understanding of Manika's personality has been crucial. He recognizes her free-spirited nature and encourages her to embrace her individuality. This has led to improved relationships with teammates and a more positive outlook.Despite their close partnership, Balgu and Manika have their disagreements. However, these discussions have often led to innovative solutions. Manika also relies on her sparring partner, Kirill Barabanov, for support. She describes Balgu as her "strategic mastermind" and Kirill as her "rock in high-pressure moments."Together, Balgu and Manika have achieved significant success. Manika has secured her career-best win and highest ranking under Balgu's guidance. Their partnership has not only benefited Manika but has also provided Balgu with valuable experience in international tournaments.

India's table tennis contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics has been finalized, with veteran Sharath Kamal and world no. 24 Manika Batra leading the men's and women's squads respectively. The six-member teams (three in each section) were selected by the senior selection committee of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) based on the latest world rankings.Sharath, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar will form the men's team, while Manika, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath will represent India in the women's category. G. Sathiyan and Ayhika Mukherjee will serve as alternate players in each section.In the men's singles, Sharath and Harmeet will compete, while Manika and Sreeja will represent India in the women's event. The selection was made as per the Olympics norms and the TTFI's pre-established criteria.Sharath, 41, will be making his fifth and final Olympic appearance in Paris. He made his Games debut in 2004 and has been a consistent performer for India over the years.The selection of the women's team sparked some debate, with Archana Kamath edging out Ayhika Mukherjee for the third spot. Kamath's higher world ranking (103) and consistent performances gave her the edge over Mukherjee (133).In the men's team, Sharath's top ranking (No. 40) ensured his selection, while Harmeet (No. 63) and Manav (No. 62) were separated by one slot in the world rankings. Harmeet's superior international and national performances earned him the nod over Manav.Massimo Costantini, a special invitee at the selection meeting, provided valuable inputs that aided in the team selection. Costantini will take charge of the Indian team for a third time next week.Alternate players Sathiyan and Ayhika will travel with the team to Paris but will not stay in the official Games Village. They will be available in case of an injury to any of the main players.