Sreeja Akula, the 25-year-old table tennis sensation from Hyderabad, has achieved a historic milestone by reaching the World No. 22 spot in the women’s singles rankings. This remarkable achievement marks the highest-ever ranking for an Indian in the sport, surpassing the previous record held by Manika Batra.
Sreeja Akula’s Early Life and Career
Sreeja Akula was born on July 31, 1998, in Hyderabad. She was introduced to table tennis by her elder sister and began her training under coach Somnath Ghosh at the Global Table Tennis Academy in Hyderabad. Her early years were marked by dedication and hard work, which laid the foundation for her future success.
Rise to Prominence
Sreeja’s journey to the top has been nothing short of inspirational. She first gained national attention by winning gold medals in the Women’s Doubles and Women’s Team events at the 2019 South Asian Games. Her consistent performances at the national level earned her the title of Indian national champion twice.
International Success
Sreeja’s international breakthrough came in 2022 when she won the gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, partnering with Sharath Kamal. This victory was a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her potential on the global stage.
In January 2024, Sreeja won her maiden WTT singles career title at the WTT Feeder Corpus Christi in Texas. She followed this up with another singles title at the WTT Feeder Beirut II in March 2024, where she defeated Luxembourg’s Sarah De Nutte in the final. These victories propelled her into the top echelons of the world rankings.
Historic Achievement
In June 2024, Sreeja Akula made history by becoming the first Indian to win a singles title at the WTT Contender level. She achieved this feat by defeating China’s Ding Yijie with a 4-1 score in the final at the WTT Contender Lagos. This victory not only boosted her confidence but also significantly improved her world ranking.
As of August 06, 2024, Sreeja Akula is ranked World No. 22 in the women’s singles category. This achievement makes her the highest-ranked Indian player in the history of the sport, surpassing Manika Batra, who previously held the record.
