Prithika Pavade table tennis player demonstrates determination and focus during a match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, © Twitter "@Abhiee0312"
Paris, August 1, 2024 — The Indian table tennis squad showcased remarkable grit and determination at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With seasoned stars like Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra leading the charge alongside promising newcomers, the team made a notable impact in their respective events.
Sharath Kamal, making his fifth Olympic appearance, faced a tough match in the men’s singles Round of 64, narrowly losing 4-2 to Slovenia’s Deni Kozul. Despite the early exit, Kamal’s experience and skill were evident, and he gave a commendable performance.
In the women’s singles, Manika Batra, India’s top-ranked player, demonstrated prowess by advancing to the Round of 16. After a 4-1 victory over Anna Hursey of Great Britain and a 4-0 win against France’s Prithika Pavade, she ultimately succumbed to Japan’s Miu Hirano, 4-1.
Harmeet Desai and Sreeja Akula made their Olympic debuts and brought fresh energy to the team. Desai triumphed in his preliminary match against Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman with a 4-0 win but faced a tough challenge in the Round of 64, losing 4-0 to France’s Felix Lebrun.
Akula impressed with a solid 4-0 victory over Christina Kallberg of Sweden in the Round of 64 and a hard-fought 4-2 win against Singapore’s Zeng Jian. However, she encountered a formidable opponent in China’s Sun Yingsha, falling 4-0 in the Round of 16.
Paris 2024 Olympics Table Tennis: Indian Players’ Results Score
| Indian Player | Event | Preliminary Round | Round of 64 | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharath Kamal | Men’s singles | NA | lost 4-2 to Deni Kozul (SLO) | DNQ | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Harmeet Desai | Men’s singles | winner 4-0 vs Zaid Abo Yaman (JOR) | lost 4-0 to Felix Lebrun (FRA) | DNQ | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Manika Batra | Women’s singles | NA | winner 4-1 vs Anna Hursey (GBR) | winner 4-0 vs Prithika Pavade (FRA) | lost 4-1 to Miu Hirano (JPN) | DNQ | NA | NA |
| Sreeja Akula | Women’s singles | NA | winner 4-0 vs Christina Kallberg (SWE) | winner 4-2 vs Zeng Jian (SGP) | lost 4-0 to Sun Yingsha (CHN) | DNQ | NA | NA |
| Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar | Men’s team | NA | NA | NA | vs China | NA | NA | NA |
| Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Archana Kamath | Women’s team | NA | NA | NA | vs Romania | NA | NA | NA |
The men’s and women’s teams, featuring a blend of experience and youthful vigor, are set to compete in the team events. The men’s team, consisting of Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar, will face a daunting challenge against China in the Round of 16. The women’s team, led by Manika Batra and including Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath, is gearing up for a crucial encounter against Romania.
India’s journey in the team events marks a significant milestone, as this is their debut in the Olympic team competitions. The format includes a best-of-five series, with at least one doubles match and up to four singles matches, promising thrilling action.
Also Read: India’s Paris 2024 Olympics Schedule: Key Dates and Event Times
