Latest news with #StarContender
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
India's Sathiyan wins men's singles title at WTT Feeder Vientiane
India's G. Sathiyan defeated top seed Ryoichi Yoshiyama of Japan 11-4, 11-6, 12-10 in the final to win the men's singles title at World Table Tennis Feeder in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday. This was Sathiyan's second Feeder title and fifth senior crown overall. 'To beat the top seed in three straight games is big. It reassures that I am still at the top of my game. The way I played the final showed glimpses of the Sathiyan of old (in 2019),' the second seed said. The former National champion, ranked 99 in the world, said he plans to play in more Feeder Series and a few Contender and Star Contender events to break into the top 50 in the world by the end of the season. 'I will be playing in Contender and Star Contender tournaments closer to the 2026 Asian Games,' the 32-year-old added.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Becoming national champion in my hometown feels special: Manush Shah
Manush Shah; (Below) With his coach Shailesh Gosain Manush Shah, who emerged champion at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships held in Vadodara, his hometown, says, 'Winning the title in my hometown made it even more special. ' He adds, 'I am very happy as I was not 100% fit considering the jet lag and sudden change in weather. I started the tournament with very few expectations and took it one match at a time. My parents, grandparents and my coach Shailesh (Gosain) sir watched me play in Vadodara and it was a special feeling to win in front of them. Gujarat has always been good to me since childhood and it's always a great honour to play in front of people here. ' '2025 has been an amazing year for me' Just a few weeks back, the TT champ created history by finishing runners-up in both doubles (with Manav Thakkar ) and mixed doubles (with Diya Chitale) at the WTT (World Table Tennis) Star Contender in Brazil. He says, '2025 has been an amazing year for me so far. In Brazil, it was India's best performance in a Star Contender event and we were unfortunate to miss out on two titles by a very narrow margin.' He adds, 'My world rankings have also improved considerably. In singles, my rank is 70 while in mixed doubles (partnering with Diya Chitale), it's 7. I am also ranked 7th in men's doubles. Individually, I aim to enter top 50 by the end of this year, and also top 4 in men's and mixed doubles world ranking.' 'It's up to guys like myself and Manav to take Indian table tennis forward' With the retirement of Sharath Kamal, what does the future hold for India in table tennis? Manush says, 'It's up to guys like myself and Manav to take Indian table tennis forward. We are doing well internationally. Sharath bhaiya continues to be our mentor and he still plays an active role in my career. I hope to lead the Indian contingent to massive success in the coming years. I have known Manav (Thakkar) for almost 10 years now and the bond we share off the table has a positive impact when we play doubles together. Also, speaking in our mother tongue (Gujarati) in various countries is always a good feeling.' He adds, 'I am glad to see many youngsters are doing well in table tennis, including several from Gujarat.' Manush with Manav Thakkar 'Fun to play doubles with a partner from Gujarat' Manush, whose doubles partner is Surat's Manav Thakkar, says 'it's fun to play doubles with a partner from Gujarat.' He adds, 'We have known each other for almost 10 years now and the bond we share off the table has a positive impact when we play doubles together. Also, speaking in our mother tongue (Gujarati) in various countries is always a good feeling. We joke a lot and have a good time together discussing fun topics like Kapil Sharma's show or Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.' He adds, 'We usually stay together during events and keep discussing how we can improve as a pair. Now that we are ranked 7th in the world , we have even more faith to achieve something really big in the coming days.' 'Training in the Czech Republic has helped me improve' Manush says that training abroad has helped him improve. 'I train in the Czech Republic (now Czechia) and love my life there, as I get to train with a good group. Weather is cool there and I can push myself more to get better and fitter.' However, he adds, 'I have to travel constantly for tournaments and it's the most difficult part of my journey now. It's tough to manage jet lag and difference in weather, but I try to manage. I watch movies and series on the way. I also love to speak to my friends, which helps me stay connected with them. I try to plan a football or cricket session with them once I am home.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
WTT India formed to host more high-profile international ranking events
In a major boost to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT)—the events wing of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)—has formed WTT India with an eye on hosting more high-profile world-ranking events in the country. WTT India was formed earlier this month. The country now joins a select group of countries, including China, Singapore, Japan, Germany, and the USA, that have domestic WTT event companies. A. Sharath Kamal, the legendary paddler who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors. 'You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that's Champions... we will explore Smash in the future as well. Although it's a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale (sic),' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told Sportstar. ALSO READ: UTT 6 season review: Rising talent, better games — but the same old hurdles 'Having people there that are working day to day on World Table Tennis will help us to achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen,' added Dainton. Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with the WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase—not just as a player, but also as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.' India at present, hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the new partnership. 'We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host 2036, and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don't think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,' Dani said. 'As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we need to get the right champions ahead. The WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us, and I think it's important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.'
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Formation of WTT India will lead to the country hosting more international events
In a major boost to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT) — the events' arm of the International Table Tennis Federation — has formed WTT India, with an eye on hosting more high-profile world-ranking events in the country. India has joined a select group of countries like China, Singapore, Japan, Germany and the US to have domestic WTT event companies. A. Sharath Kamal, who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors. 'You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that's Champions, we will explore Smash in the future as well. 'Although it's a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale,' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told The Hindu. 'Having people that are working day to day on World Table Tennis will help us achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen.' Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase — not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.' India at present hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the new partnership. 'We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host (the) 2036 Games and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don't think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,' Vita said. 'As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we get the right champions ahead, the WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us and I think it's important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.'
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India to host more international table tennis events, courtesy WTT India
In a major boost to the table tennis ecosystem in India, the World Table Tennis (WTT) – the events arm of the International Table Tennis Federation – has formed WTT India, the India chapter, with an eye on hosting more high-profile world-ranking events in India. WTT India, the event management company, was formed earlier this month, with India joining a select group of countries like China, Singapore, Japan, Germany and USA to have domestic WTT event companies. A. Sharath Kamal, the legendary paddler who retired earlier this year, has come aboard as the brand ambassador of WTT India, while Vita Dani, the co-promoter of franchise-based league Ultimate Table Tennis and an ITTF governing council member, will join as a member of the board of directors. 'You will start to see more WTT events and more international events. Eventually, in the next few years, you will start to see some of our bigger events coming here, whether that's Champions, we will explore Smash in the future as well. Although it's a different road to get that, hopefully even World Championships and big events on that scale,' Steve Dainton, Group CEO of ITTF, told The Hindu. 'Having people then that are working day-to-day on World Table Tennis will help us to achieve that quicker than having just us based out of Singapore trying to make it happen.' Sharath was excited to be a part of the project. 'This moment feels like the turning of a page. The sport has come so far in India, and now, with WTT officially here, we have the chance to elevate it like never before,' he said. 'I am proud to represent this next phase — not just as a player, but as someone who truly believes in the potential of Indian table tennis.' India at present hosts two annual WTT events, a Star Contender and a Youth Contender series tournament. The number is likely to double in the next 12-month cycle with the new partnership. 'We only have to grow from here. I am hoping that we as a country are able to host 2036 and if that is the case, then this would be an ideal roadmap to lead up to the Olympics in India. I don't think we can ask for a better opportunity than this or a better partnership than this as far as table tennis is concerned,' Dani said. 'As you have seen, India has done exceedingly well in the last seven to eight years, better than ever before. For us to really ensure that we tap into the right talent, we get the right champions ahead, The WTT partnership will bring a lot of value to us and I think it's important for us as a country to have a partnership like this.'
