In the exhilarating world of table tennis, the Paris 2024 Olympics promise intense matchups. Veteran Indian paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal will start his campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics against Deni Kozul of Slovenia on July 27 while Manika Batra will face Welsh teenager Anna Hursey of Great Britain, as per the draws announced.
Commonwealth Games champion Sharath Kamal is spearheading a six-member Indian table tennis contingent with the 41-year-old all set to make his fifth appearance at the Olympics. Manika, on the other hand, will play in her third Olympics.
Manika Batra vs. Anna Hursey
Manika Batra, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will take on Anna Hursey, an 18-year-old talent from Great Britain, in the women’s singles opening round. Batra, seeded 18th, comfortably outranks the Welsh teenager, who stands at 103rd in the world rankings. This marks Batra’s third successive appearance at the Summer Games after her debut at Rio 2016. Expect a fierce battle as these two talented players clash on the Olympic stage.
Sharath Kamal vs. Deni Kozul:
Veteran Indian player Achanta Sharath Kamal faces the 27-year-old Deni Kozul from Slovenia in the men’s singles first round. Kozul competed in Tokyo 2020, while Sharath Kamal is set to become a five-time Olympian. The table tennis arena will witness their skills and determination as they vie for victory.
This will be the third successive appearance for @manikabatra_TT at the Olympics after making her debut at Rio 2016.
Manika, who is seeded 18th for the Paris Olympics will face Anna Hursey in the women's singles opening round.#Paris2024 #ManikaBatra pic.twitter.com/Ye7TW8dGT7
— Avinash Kumar Atish (@Avinashkmratish) July 25, 2024
Harmeet Desai’s Challenge:
Harmeet Desai starts his men’s singles campaign from the preliminary round. His opponent is Zaid Abo Yaman of Jordan on July 27. If Desai triumphs in the preliminary round, he’ll face France’s Felix Lebrun, the world No. 5, in the main draw.
The Indian men’s team faces a stern test in the opening round against the People’s Republic of China, four-time gold medallists in the men’s team event. India has qualified for team events in table tennis at the Olympics for the first time.
The women’s team will take on Romania in the round of 16, with the possibility of facing Germany, the Rio 2016 silver medallists, in the second round.
Table tennis competitions at Paris 2024 will run from July 27 to August 10. All five events—men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s team, and women’s team—will unfold at the South Paris Arena.
