In an impressive showing at the Asian Table Tennis Championships, the Indian men’s team guaranteed themselves a bronze medal for the third consecutive time, defeating Kazakhstan 3-1 in the quarterfinals held in Astana. This achievement came shortly after the Indian women’s team ended their journey with a historic bronze following a tough loss to Japan in the semifinals.
Indian Men’s Table Tennis Team Secures Third Consecutive Medal
The Indian men’s team began their quarterfinal match with great intensity. World No. 60, Manav Thakkar, set the stage for the victory by delivering a sensational performance, defeating Kazakhstan’s top-ranked player, Kirill Gerassimenko, who is ranked 41st in the world. Thakkar’s relentless aggression overwhelmed Gerassimenko as he swept the match 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-6). This win gave India an early and crucial 1-0 lead in the quarterfinals.
Gerassimenko, who is known for his skill and consistency, struggled to counter Thakkar’s assertive playing style, handing India the momentum right from the start.
Kazakhstan Strikes Back
Kazakhstan responded swiftly through Alan Kurmangaliyev, ranked 183rd in the world. He showcased a strong attacking display against India’s Harmeet Desai, defeating him in straight sets 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-8). Desai appeared to be out of sync throughout the match, as Kurmangaliyev’s pace and precision proved too tricky to handle, evening the score at 1-1.
Veteran Sharath Kamal’s Impact
With the tie delicately balanced, India’s seasoned table tennis star, Sharath Kamal, stepped up to restore the lead. Facing Aidos Kenzhigulov, Sharath showed why he is one of India’s most respected athletes. His calm and calculated performance saw him comfortably win the match 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 12-10). Though Kenzhigulov put up a valiant effort, Sharath’s wealth of experience was too much for him to overcome, pushing India back into the lead at 2-1.
Harmeet’s Heroic Comeback Seals the Victory
The final match saw Harmeet Desai face off against a determined Kirill Gerassimenko. After losing his earlier game, Harmeet showed incredible resilience. Despite a shaky start, he launched a fierce counterattack, particularly shining in the second and fourth games. His explosive backhand shots and powerful forehands turned the match in his favour.
In the decisive fifth game, Harmeet raced ahead to a 6-1 lead, managing to fend off Gerassimenko’s late surge to win 3-2. With this victory, India secured their spot in the semifinals and assured themselves of a bronze medal. This marks India’s third consecutive bronze medal in the Asian Championships, following their similar achievements in 2023 and 2021.
India will face either Chinese Taipei or Japan in the semifinals, where they hope to advance further and potentially improve on their bronze medal finishes from previous years.
Historic Bronze for the Indian Women’s Team
Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s table tennis team created history by securing their first-ever bronze medal in the Asian Championships. Although they lost to Japan 1-3 in the semifinals, their performance was a breakthrough for Indian women’s table tennis.
Their semifinal defeat came after a strong performance in the earlier rounds, where they beat the second-seeded South Korean team. However, strategic errors, including the absence of their foreign coach, Massimo Costantini, may have contributed to their loss to Japan. Additionally, India’s top-ranked player, Sreeja Akula, was surprisingly benched for this crucial match, which raised some eyebrows.
A Close Battle with Japan
The match against Japan started with Ayhika Mukherjee taking on World No. 7 Miwa Harimoto. Ayhika, who had performed well in previous rounds, got off to a good start but ultimately missed several key opportunities, losing a hard-fought match 2-3 (8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11, 7-4). Despite troubling Miwa with her pimpled rubber shots, Ayhika couldn’t capitalize on crucial points.
Manika Batra, one of India’s star players, brought the team back into contention by convincingly defeating World No. 17, Satsuki Odo, in straight sets (11-6, 11-5, 11-8). However, the momentum shifted back to Japan when their second-best player, Mima Ito (ranked No. 9), beat Sutirtha Mukherjee 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 15-13), putting Japan ahead once again.
In the deciding fourth match, Batra couldn’t replicate her earlier form, losing to Miwa Harimoto 1-3 (11-6, 6-11, 11-2, 11-3), which ended India’s run in the tournament. However, the team’s effort secured them a well-deserved bronze medal, a historic achievement for Indian women’s table tennis.
Looking Ahead
Both the men’s and women’s teams have shown tremendous promise and growth in the Asian Table Tennis Championships. While the men aim to advance further in the tournament, the women’s bronze medal finish marks a significant milestone for the sport in India, inspiring future generations of athletes.
Click here to know more.
