In a dramatic turn of events, India’s flagbearer and decorated table tennis player Sharath Kamal suffered a shock exit in the first round of men’s singles table tennis at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 42-year-old, featuring in his fifth Olympic appearance, lost to Deni Kozul of Slovenia.
Sharath Kamal’s disappointing defeat
Despite being ranked 86 places above Deni, Sharath Kamal succumbed to a tight match, losing with scores of 12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 7-11, 11-8, and 10-12. His early exit was a setback for the Indian contingent, considering his historic Commonwealth Games gold medal win in 2022.
On a brighter note, Manika Batra showcased her prowess in the women’s singles category. She secured a place in the Round of 32 after defeating Great Britain’s Anna Hursey in a thrilling encounter. Manika’s performance—11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5—highlighted her determination and ability to regroup during crucial moments.
Another Indian paddler, Sreeja Akula, made her mark by decimating her opponent in the women’s singles first round. Sreeja’s swift victory over Sweden’s Christina Kallberg—11-4, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8—earned her a spot in the Round of 32. Her historic win at the WTT Contender singles title earlier added to the excitement surrounding her performance.
🇮🇳 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗹! Sharath Kamal despite putting up a strong fight fails to advance to the round of 32 in the men's singles event.
🏓 After winning the first game, Sharath Kamal unfortunately could not carry on the momentum as he… pic.twitter.com/HFvGWS6pXl
— India at Paris 2024 Olympics (@sportwalkmedia) July 28, 2024
As the table tennis action unfolds in Paris, India’s hopes remain high, with Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula continuing their quest for Olympic glory. While Sharath Kamal’s exit stings, the resilience of our players keeps the nation’s spirits soaring.
