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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 Harmeet Desai believes that the Indian team has the potential to upset any team at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Desai, who played a crucial role in India's gold medal victories in the team competition at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, expressed confidence in the team's preparations and their ability to perform at their best in the French capital.The Indian TT contingent made history earlier this year when both the men's and women's teams qualified for the Olympics for the first time. The preparatory camps, held in Bengaluru and Saarbrucken, Germany, focused on developing the perfect combinations for the team events at the Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11."On a given day, I think we really have a very good chance of beating any team. We have won against top teams in the world in the past and it is possible this time also if we give our best. In the Olympics, if all three of us can put on the best show then anything is possible," said Desai in an interview with Ultimate Table Tennis.Desai is part of the Indian men's team along with Achanta Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran. He will also be competing in the individual events. Desai's confidence stems from the fact that the Indian men's team had defeated the mighty Japan in the quarterfinals to clinch the bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games.Speaking about the rise of Indian table tennis on the world stage, Desai credited the central government's various schemes and the launch of Ultimate Table Tennis in 2017 for the development of the sport. "UTT has helped us get more experience and exposure to play with international players and get guidance from foreign coaches. That was not the case before 2017. So, this kind of experience has helped the players get more self-belief and perform well in the international arena," he said.The Indian men's team will face China in the opening round while the women's team will open their campaign against Romania. The individual events will be played from July 27 to August 4, whereas the team events are scheduled from August 5 to 10.After the Paris Olympics, India's representatives at the Games and upcoming talent from the country will rub shoulders against each other and some international stars in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, scheduled to take place in Chennai from August 22 to September 7.

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.

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.

Indian Contingent Arrives at Paris Olympics VillageA total of 49 Indian athletes have arrived at the Games Village in Paris, marking the beginning of India's participation in the upcoming Olympics. The contingent includes the entire archery, table tennis, and hockey teams.The table tennis team, consisting of eight members, and the 19-member Indian men's hockey team have already reached the French capital. Additionally, 10 out of the 21 qualified shooters have arrived in Chateauroux. The archery team, comprising six members, along with two tennis players, a shuttler, a rower, and two swimmers, have also made their way to Paris.India will be represented by a total of 117 athletes at the Paris Olympics, including 70 men and 47 women. They will compete in 69 events across 95 medal categories. The contingent will also include a 140-strong support staff, bringing the total number of members to 257.This year's contingent is larger than the 119-member team that represented India at the Tokyo Olympics. In Tokyo, India achieved its best-ever performance, winning seven medals, including the historic gold medal in javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra. Chopra will be returning to Paris to defend his title.The Indian contingent is expected to continue its strong performance in Paris, with medal hopes in archery, shooting, wrestling, and badminton. The Olympics will commence on July 26th, and the Indian athletes are determined to make their mark on the global stage.

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.

Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 is set to ignite the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai from August 22 to September 7, with 23 thrilling ties scheduled. The tournament will witness eight teams vying for the coveted title, including defending champions Goa Challengers and newcomers Jaipur Patriots.World-class players will grace the UTT stage, including World No. 10 Bernadette Szocs, World No. 16 Nina Mittelham, and Nigerian legend World No. 19 Quadri Aruna. They will be joined by Indian stars Achanta Sharath Kamal (WR 40), Sreeja Akula (WR 25), and Manika Batra (WR 28).UTT 2024 will also showcase promising Indian talents like Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Poymantee Baisya, Abhinandh PB, Jeet Chandra, and Yashansh Malik. Debutant team Ahmedabad SG Pipers will make their debut against Puneri Paltan Table Tennis, while Chennai Lions will face PBG Bengaluru Smashers in a southern derby.The addition of two new teams has led to a revised competition format. Teams will be divided into two groups of four for the league stage, playing five ties each. The top four teams will advance to the knockout stage, with the semi-finals featuring Team No. 1 vs Team No. 4 and Team No. 2 vs Team No. 3.Each tie will comprise five matches: two men's singles, two women's singles, and one mixed doubles. The tournament promises high-octane action and intense competition as teams battle for the ultimate glory.

The Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league is set to return with a bang in 2024, with eight teams vying for the coveted title. The Player Draft, held on Wednesday, saw franchises strategize and select their squads for the upcoming season, which will be held in Chennai from August 22 to September 7.Newcomers Jaipur Patriots made a bold move by selecting India's rising star Sreeja Akula, who recently became the first Indian to win a WTT Contender singles title. Puneri Paltan Table Tennis opted for Ayhika Mukherjee, while Ahmedabad SG Pipers secured the services of Manush Shah and Romania's world No. 10 Bernadette Szocs.The franchise-based league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, has attracted some of the best players in the world. "We are very excited for UTT 2024. This is the first time we have eight teams, and we want to make this even bigger and better," said UTT promoters.A total of 48 players, including 16 foreigners, will be in action. Jaipur Patriots COO Imran Shaikh expressed confidence in their squad, saying, "We wanted Sreeja and we got her in the first pick. We have a strong squad and we are confident that we can go all the way."Ahmedabad SG Pipers' Kartikeya Rao emphasized the importance of a balanced team, stating, "We've enjoyed success in other leagues and other sports with this same formula, so just looking to continue the same thing."Defending champions Goa Challengers have a new look, with Australia's Yangzi Liu and Italy's Mihai Bobocica joining their ranks. Last edition's runners-up Chennai Lions also made significant changes, adding Japan's Sakura Mori and Frenchman Jules Rolland to their squad.Dabang Delhi will rely on Sathiyan G. and Andreas Levenko of Austria, while PBG Bengaluru Smashers will have Alvaro Robles of Spain and Lily Zhang of the USA supporting Manika Batra.The Player Draft has set the stage for an exciting season of UTT, with each team aiming to lift the trophy. The league promises to showcase high-quality table tennis and provide a platform for both established and emerging players.