Latest news with #DivyanshiBhowmick
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
After winning the Asians, I am more confident of doing well at the World Championships: Divyanshi Bhowmick
Divyanshi Bhowmick is India's finest in her age category, girls' u-15, and second best in u-17. At the International level, the 14-year-old from Mumbai is progressing on the right track to be among the top in the world's charts. After winning the girls' u-15 crown in the Asian youth championships, she bagged another major title in her fledgling career recently by winning the u-19 girls' title in the WTT Youth Contender in Almaty. In fact, Divyanshi has had an outstanding International season in the youth category in 2025. She has won five WTT titles in the u-19, 17 and 15 categories. Divyanshi rocked the senior category when she, as a qualifier, outplayed Giorgia Piccolin of Italy, then ranked 64 in the world, in the first round of the WTT Star Contender in Chennai in March this year. An attacking player on both flanks, Piccolin is a paddler difficult to deal with at the best of times. More so, when a 14-year-old is taking on the Italian. Armed with a long-pimpled rubber on backhand and regular inverted rubber on forehand, Divyanshi turned the tables on the Paris Olympian with a display that had chops, blocks sprinkled with dollops of aggression on the forehand side. The win was no fluke as she continued to make waves, winning the girls' u-15 singles crown in the Asian youth table tennis championships held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) from June 26 to July 2, beating three top Chinese players on the way. Coached by her father Rahul Bhowmick at Kandivali (Mumbai) and Anshuman Roy (in Bengaluru), Divyanshi is keen to play more senior tournaments on the International circuit and focus on playing more events on the domestic front, hoping to break into the world's top 100 in women's section (she is 194 now) sooner than later. Her immediate goal is to perform well in the World youth championships in u-15 section to be held in Romania from November 23 to 30. 'After winning the Asians, I am more confident of doing well at the World Championships this year' said Divyanshi. Excerpts: How important was the girls' under-15 crown, and how did you prepare for it as the second seed? I had prepared really well for this tournament. We had an India camp before this tournament in Bengaluru. And over there, all the coaches and the head coach, Massimo Costantini, really helped. And being the second seed, I was hoping to play in the final. And to win gold for India after 36 years was really special for me. B. Bhuvaneshwari, the former India paddler, was the first to do so. INDIA'S DIVYANSHI STUNS CHINA'S LIU 🤯 Divyanshi Bhowmick has stunned Liu 4-3 in a thriller way to storm into the Final of U15 at Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship 2025! 💪 INCREDIBLE RUN BY DIVYANSHI! 🇮🇳❤️ — The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) July 1, 2025 You had beaten three Chinese including Zhu Qihui in the final, how was the feeling? I was going step by step. In the quarter-final, I was playing against Huize Yang (China). I was confident as I had beaten her earlier. Yes, I had gone with a plan on what to play. I did discuss with my coach and my dad, and executed it. Even the semi-finals was a really tough one, because the last two times I had lost to her (Ziling Liu). I went one step at a time with every Chinese. In the final against Zhu Qihui, I had confidence that I would beat her because I had defeated her earlier also (WTT Youth Contender in Bangkok). What was the strategy against Zhu? The match was really tough. I did what we had planned but she forced me to change it. However, I adapted to the situation and I won. Beating one Japanese and three Chinese on the way was really special. India lost to Japan in the quarterfinals of the team event which was before the individuals. Did the defeat prod you to do well in singles? In the groups, the whole team played really well. We defeated Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Kyrgyzstan to top the group. But with Japan, seeded third, we couldn't win (losing 1-3). We (India was seeded fifth) all felt sad after the match because we were expecting that we could win. It was quite a close match. I lost the fourth rubber. I got the extra motivation to win the singles event after the defeat to Japan. The last two years (2024-25) have been really good. You won the u-15 and u-17 titles in Vadodara and also reached six finals, four semifinals and six quarterfinals in both the sections.... I feel very happy. Right now, I am ranked World No. 3 in the world in girls' u-15. That gives me huge confidence. I want to grow steadily and do well in the tournaments I compete while also enjoying the experience and working on my weaknesses. And after every tournament, of course, I sit with my coaches and my dad to work on the mistakes which I made and try to overcome them in the next tournament. The last two years have been good. Last year, I missed out on the Asian Championships. And even in the Worlds, I lost in the pre-quarter finals. So, last year, it was okay. But this year, it started really nice with me winning the Asian Championships and doing well on WTT youth tournaments. I have to work harder for the World Championships (to be held in Tokyo) now. Any special training you took before the Asian youth championships? Before the Asian Championship we were in the National camp, with head coach Massimo Costantini helping the team. I focused more on my forehand and the need to attack. Your game revolves around chops and blocks on the backhand and a good attack on the forehand. How do you plan to improve your game awareness further? Along with the chops and blocks, I need to improve my attack. With the long-pimpled rubber, I do practice the twiddling act (twiddling is switching racquet between the long pimple rubber (backhand) and a regular plain rubber on forehand), allowing one to play more aggressively and making the opponent difficult to read the spin of the ball) like Manika Batra, who is my idol. I am yet to master it (twiddling). You did create ripples, by beating a top 100 player in Giorgia Piccolin in the first round of the WTT Star Contender in Chennai early this year. Do you plan to play in more senior events? This year, I am going to try and play more senior events on my own expenses, with the help of my Foundation, Dani Sports. And of course, in the domestic circuit, try to be in the top 10 or even top eight in the women's category. In the domestic season last year, I just played one or two tournaments in my category. This year I am going to play in all of them. At 14 years and 8 months, school plays an important part for Indians especially. How do you juggle academics and professional sports? Studies are important. This year, I have my Std. 10th board exams. So, yes, I am playing my matches and then trying to find time to do online tuition also, because that is mandatory. What was coach Anshuman Roy's impact on your game? I've been training with him for the last two years, but I also train in Mumbai with my dad and whenever I have time, I go to Bengaluru. He has really helped me improve, make those changes and improve my backhand and block and everything. Yasashwini (Ghorpade), one of India's top paddlers, also trains with Anshuman sir. In Mumbai, I train with my dad. I have a robot at my house and many practice partners come to train with me. The robot has been of big use to me. It keeps giving balls at a certain speed, it has helped my consistency. What has been the most memorable win in your career? It was winning the silver medal in the 2023 World youth Championship with my partner Jennifer Verghese in girls' u-15 doubles in Slovenia, and it was a historic victory. And, I became World No. 3 in under-15 singles, I am also now. And the next big moment was winning double gold (clinching the u-15 & u-17 singles title) in the WTT Youth Contender at home (Vadodara) this year. And even defeating Italy's Giorgia Piccolin in the first round of WTT Star Contender in Chennai this year was a great moment. And then playing four games (3-1) with Shin Yubin, who was seeded fourth in the tournament's second round. When I look back, I felt good as I was 10-9 up in the fourth game against Shin Yubin, before I lost. It was special, nevertheless. It gave me a lot of experience. How do you see the future panning out? I need to work harder, especially this year for the ITTF World Youth Championships to be held in Romania from November 23 to 30. After winning the Asians, I am more confident of doing well at the World Championships u-15 category this year. I want to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. How much has Manika Batra been an inspiration for you? She is my idol and I really look up to her game and attitude. I have not got the chance to talk much to her. But by seeing her game, I try to learn as much as I can. Does Divyanshi have friends in the TT circuit? Yes, it is Syndrela Das. We are best friends and also play as a pair in doubles.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How tech, training became two Ts of India's table tennis future
Divyanshi Bhowmick recently fought off stiff competition from Asian powerhouses in Tashkent to bring home Youth TT gold medal after 36 years. A blink of an eye is too long in competitive table tennis. Some would say that's also about as long as India has managed to capture international attention with its performances at the sport's biggest arenas. So far. Because the country is busy now basking in the warm glow of potential. Its newfound optimism is thanks to a new breed of youngsters who achieved the near-unthinkable with a four-medal showing at the recent Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent. Dramatic as the tale is, it was not scripted overnight. For decades, table tennis in India has lived in the shadows -- lacking structure, exposure, and ambition. That, though, has changed over the last decade. With foreign coaches, robot-fed training drills and talent spotted early and nurtured scientifically, Indian table tennis has quietly orchestrated a revolution that spans dusty corners of state-run sports hostels and gleaming academies. It features not only cutting edge technology but also a dose of Indian ingenuity. And the results are showing. Young and ambitious Take 14-year-old Divyanshi Bhowmick, the newly crowned Asian champion in the Under-15 category. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Her training includes sparring with robots that can keep throwing all kinds of balls tirelessly at a player. That ensured she was ready for everything that came her way in Tashkent. She is just one of the youngsters that made the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships a watershed moment for India. Apart from Divyanshi's gold, India returned with a silver and two bronzes from Tashkent. If Asian titles, Commonwealth medals, and global respect are now part of the vocabulary, it's thanks to the vision and resilience of tireless coaches and a generation that dares to believe. Add to that grassroots dreams and bold reforms and you have a posse of paddlers making waves on the youth circuit. Ankur Bhattacharjee is ranked world No.3 in the U-19 boys' category. He teamed up with Taneesha Kotecha for a U-19 mixed doubles bronze in Tashkent. Then there are the likes of Syndrela Das, PB Abhinandh, Sudhanshu Maini, and Sayali Wani. The juniors are walking on a new path paved by seniors like Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, Payas Jain, Snehit Suravajjula, Harmeet Desai (among men); and Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Diya Chitale, Yashaswini Ghorpade, Ayhika Mukherjee (among women). Papic t o C ostantini Among the clear game changers for Indian table tennis is the injection of high-calibre technical coaching, something the country has lacked exposure to historically. The transformation began when the national TT body (TTFI) partnered with foreign coaches from countries like China, South Korea and Germany. In 2018, the appointment of Dejan Papic, a Serbian coach with stints in North America and Europe, marked a shift in mindset. His scientific approach to physical conditioning, tactical discipline, and long-term planning became a blueprint. Then came the Italian Massimo Costantini. His focus on mental conditioning, tactical flexibility, and international best practices helped bridge the gap between India and the world's best. Serving his third stint as national coach, Costantini has emphasised an individualised coaching model since his return in 2024. His methods include biomechanical analysis to optimise stroke efficiency and mental conditioning to handle high-pressure matches. 'Massimo understands the Indian system really well. We've had some great results under him and I hope that we can do even better,' says Ayhika Mukherjee, who won a historic bronze in women's doubles with Sutirtha Mukherjee at the 2022 Asian Games. Local knowledge A notable innovation involves hybridisation. Instead of copying the Chinese or European style wholesale, Indian coaches are aiming for a blend that brings out homegrown instinct. Players learn aggressive forehand loops and short-pip blocks, but also work on Indian-style wristy placements and deceptive spins. Massimo, too, has devoted attention to mastering spin, a hallmark of elite table tennis. Indian players, right from youth to the senior level, have developed versatile spin techniques, such as heavy topspin loops and defensive chops. The products Costantini is looking to turn into polished match-winners are increasingly getting their start at grassroots academies that have mushroomed around the country, many backed by former players. Stalwarts like Soumyadeep Roy, Raman Subramaniam, Sourav Chakraborty and Jay Modak have started nurturing batches of kids. So, it's not surprising to see Indian paddlers in their early teens who already have 5-6 years of structured, competitive experience under their belt. Investments at the grassroots level have also democratised access to advanced training. The Khelo India programme, backed by Sports Authority of India (SAI), has established modern training centres with high-tech equipment. Academies in several states use video analysis and ball-tracking systems (see box) to nurture talents like Divyanshi, whose 2025 Asian Youth title run was supported by SAI-funded training. Prime-time push Ask players and they might say that the most transformative force was the launch of the 'Ultimate Table Tennis' (UTT) league in 2017. Modelled after cricket's IPL, UTT brought together Indian and international stars in a franchise-based format. Matches are broadcast live to millions, giving Indian players, especially the younger crop, a golden opportunity to compete against world-class players on home soil. 'Just check our performances after the league started. Since then, we have won a bagful of medals at the Commonwealth Games, in 2018 as well as 2022. Our performance at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics was quite commendable, too,' said coach Sachin Shetty. 'With events like UTT, we get the exposure of staying, training and playing with or against top international stars. That has helped us a lot in ensuring that we stay almost, or as far as possible, on a par with the foreign players,' said Diya Chitale, who won mixed doubles gold at the 2025 WTT Contender event in Tunisia. The exposure is not only on TV but on the international circuit, too. Gone are the days when Indian youths played only domestic tournaments. Today, the calendar is bursting with international opportunities. That means players don't fear foreign styles anymore and learn to adapt -- playing a chopper from Korea one week and a topspin-heavy Swede the next. These experiences are turning rookies into seasoned performers by a young age. Every revolution needs faces, and India has its TT icons. If Achanta Sharath Kamal, a record-breaking multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist, has inspired a generation, the emergence of the younger Sathiyan Gnanasekaran has sparked interest among the social media-savvy Gen Z. On the other hand, Manika Batra, with her historic 2018 Commonwealth Games gold, and bronze at the Asian Games the same year, has redefined what women's table tennis can look like – fearless, flamboyant, and global.
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Asian youth table tennis championships
Fresh from her U-15 gold medal at the Asian youth table tennis championships at Tashkent recently, Divyanshi Bhowmick continued her fine run to claim the U-19 girls' title at the WTT Youth Contender in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on Saturday. She overcame Zlata Terekhova of the Russian Federation 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2 in the final. In an all-Indian U-17 boys' final, Priyanuj Bhattacharyya rallied to beat P. B. Abhinandh 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6. In the U-15 girls' final, Ananya Muralidharan went down down 8-11, 8-11, 8-11 to Lu Yu-En of Taiwan. India wrapped up the Almaty event with a total of 11 medals—two gold, two silver, and seven bronze.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Divyanshi Bhowmick, first Indian in 36 years to win historic gold, 'really scared' of a school challenge
Divyanshi Bhowmick (Special arrangements) NEW DELHI: When 14-year-old Divyanshi Bhowmick steps up to a Table Tennis table, she stares down Asia's finest without flinching. She spins, smashes and scripts history, as she did earlier this month in Tashkent, becoming the first Indian in 36 years (after Subramanian Bhuvaneswari) to win the U-15 girls' singles crown at the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships. But mention the Class 10 board exams , and her hands start to tremble. 'Yes, I think hearing that makes me feel really scared and nervous because I have to give my boards this year,' she tells almost whispering. 'I'm a little nervous for my boards, but I'm gonna study harder.' Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! For someone who held her nerve 6-9 down in the deciding set against China's Liu Ziling in the final, the irony is delicious. Beating three Chinese opponents enroute to the trophy is easy; beating board-exam anxiety is not. The exam before the exam At an age when most teens are worried about pre-boards, Divyanshi is already ranked World No. 3 in U-15, trains nearly eight hours a day, and travels across continents. Yet, with her table tennis session ending by January, it's the February-March board exam timetable that looms larger in her mind than any world ranking. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I Fit into Skinny Jeans Again [See How] Live Happier Click Here Undo 'It's really difficult to study after the training sessions because I am tired, but I have no other option,' she admits. Poll Do you believe that winning a championship can help ease exam anxiety for young athletes? Absolutely, it boosts confidence Maybe, but it's still stressful Not really, exams are different It depends on the individual For her boards, she will barely have 30 days to prepare. However, her father doesn't want to add extra pressure of 'good marks' to those young shoulders. 'We have no expectations, but she has expectations of her own, which makes her nervous,' says her father, Rahul Bhowmick, COO of a multinational firm for the South Asia-Pacific region. Her fear of exams might make her relatable, but her journey makes her an extraordinary case. It all began during the pandemic, in the family's Mumbai home. 'My dad wouldn't allow me to play outdoor sports, so he got a table at home. Me, my elder sister (Hitanshi) and my dad used to practice all day. That's when I really started to like the sport, and I started winning also,' recalls Divyanshi. Her father, who once played the sport himself, saw the early spark. 'When the first state tournament happened, she reached the semifinals. So that further reinforced our belief that she has in herself to excel,' he says. Ever since, the game has consumed her life. 'From morning 7:30 to 11, I practice, then I have tuitions, then again evening practice from 4 to 8:30. Sometimes I have tuition from 9 o'clock,' says Divyanshi explaining her daily routine. Divyanshi Bhowmick (Special arrangements) Rahul adds with a chuckle, 'If you ask her to practice 10 hours also, she might happily do it.' The months and years of toil showed in Tashkent. Seeded second, Divyanshi toppled three Chinese opponents to take the title. Her semi-final was the stuff of legends, down 6-9 in the decider against Liu Ziling, she clawed back to win. It was "really something," she exclaims. Her father calls it proof of her resilience. 'This game is cruel — one small mistake and it's over. But she pulled herself up. Many thought that match was lost,' he recalls. Dreams that stretch beyond boards What lies ahead? For now, Romania in November, where she will represent India at the World Youth Table Tennis Championships. "If you can become an Asian champion, there is no reason why you can't win the world championships because the same girls will play there as well," her father adds. Long-term, the family has a roadmap: 'Short term is to break into India's top five and the world top 100 in women's by 2026. Eventually, 2028 Olympics and an Olympic medal,' says Rahul. But ask Divyanshi, a quiet girl, about her immediate priority, and the answer isn't an Olympic podium; it's a report card. Because in India, even history-makers must survive India's most unforgiving tournament - the Board Exams - before dreaming beyond. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Divyanshi Bhowmick tops Chinese challenge for TT title
Divyanshi Bhowmick (Pic credit: SAI) KOLKATA: Divyanshi Bhowmick continued her rise in world table tennis by clinching the under-15 girls' singles title at the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent on Tuesday. The win ensured the youngster a direct berth in the World Youth Championships to be held in Romania in Nov. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Divyanshi's triumph marked a watershed moment for Indian table tennis. Her victory not only ended a 36-year drought for India in the U-15 girls' (cadet) singles event at the Asian Youth Championships, but also made her the first Indian to win an Asian championship across in 21 years. It was a strong show by second seed Bhowmick, who got past three Chinese opponents in back-to-back matches. In the final, 15-year-old Bhowmick overpowered third seeded China's Zhu Qihui 4-2 (13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8). In the semifinals, Bhowmick had to fight hard to overcome China's Liu Ziling 4-3 (10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9) while in the quarters, she prevailed over another Chinese Huize Yang 3-1. It has been a steady rise for Bhowmick, who started playing the game in 2020. It was during the lockdown period that Bhowmick developed a love for TT while playing against her dad and sister at their home in Mumbai. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
