India's Table Tennis players gave a mixed performance at the Olympics on Sunday with Achanta Sharath Kamal and Harmeet Desai suffering defeats in the men's singles event, while Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra secured spots in the round of 32. 10-time national champion Sharath Kamal's shock loss to Slovenian Deni Kozul was a major setback for the team. However, Sreeja and Manika's easy wins have made history as it's the first time India has two women's players in the Olympics singles event round of 32.
India's Mixed Performance in Table Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024
Indian table tennis players showcased a mixed performance at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, with some facing early setbacks while others secured historic wins.
Men's Singles Disappointment:
Ten-time national champion Achanta Sharath Kamal suffered a disappointing loss in the men's singles event. He was defeated by Slovenian Deni Kozul, ranked 170th in the world. Harmeet Desai also faced an early exit, falling to Japan's Togami Shunsuke.
Women's Singles Success:
Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra made history by becoming the first Indian women to qualify for the round of 32 in the Olympics singles event. Akula defeated Noha Yossry of Egypt, while Batra secured a victory over Yuan Jia Nan of China.
Background:
India has a strong history in table tennis, with Sharath Kamal being the country's most decorated player. He won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2006 and 2010. Manika Batra emerged as a rising star in recent years, winning three medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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