Paris, Aug 4 (UNI) In a groundbreaking moment for Indian table tennis, the country is set to make its Olympic debut in both the men’s and women’s team championships at Paris 2024. Manav Thakkar and Archana Kamath, both just 24 years old, will lead the Indian charge, as they look to make their mark on the global stage.
Thakkar, a former world No. 1 under-21 player, has been making waves on the World Table Tennis circuit and in Ultimate Table Tennis. He will be joined by a formidable men’s team comprising Achanta Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.
Kamath, known for her aggressive playstyle, will partner with Manika Batra in women’s doubles, aiming to showcase their top-ranking skills. The women’s team also includes Sreeja Akula and Ayhika Mukherjee.
The Indian teams face tough matches ahead, with the women’s team set to take on Romania in the round of 16 on Monday, while the men’s team will go up against China on Tuesday.
Both Thakkar and Kamath credit their UTT experience for their readiness. Thakkar’s victory over Kristian Karlsson in UTT gave him a confidence boost, while Kamath’s women’s doubles title at the WTT Contender Lagos has bolstered her confidence.
This historic moment marks a new era for Indian table tennis, as the country looks to make its mark on the global stage. With India’s top players competing in the Olympics for the first time, fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling display of skills and determination.
As Paris 2024 approaches, all eyes will be on these rising stars as they aim to make history and showcase India’s growing prowess in table tennis.
