The Rise and Rise of Manush Shah: From Humble Grassroots to the Elite of Table Tennis

Over the past few years, Manush Shah has emerged as a prominent figure in Indian table tennis, showcasing remarkable talent and determination. His journey reached a pinnacle at the 86th Senior National Table Tennis Championships in Surat, where he clinched his maiden men's singles title.

Early Life and Rise

Born on January 12, 2001, in Vadodara, Gujarat, Manush's tryst with table tennis began after a significant childhood injury redirected his athletic pursuits from cricket to table tennis. His dedication to the sport was evident early on, leading him to represent India in various junior international tournaments. Notably, he secured two silver medals at the Asian Junior Championships and participated in the World Junior Championships in 2018, where he reached the quarterfinals in men's doubles.

Climbing the Ranks

In 2022, Manush's consistent performances earned him a bronze medal at the Senior National Championships.

His upward trajectory continued, and by January 2025, he achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 78 in singles. In doubles, partnering with Manav Thakkar, he reached the world No. 10 spot, with the duo making significant strides in international tournaments, including a notable quarterfinal finish at the 2023 Asian Games.

National Championship Triumph

The culmination of Manush's hard work was evident at the 2025 Senior National Table Tennis Championships held at the Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium in Surat. In the men's singles final, he faced Delhi's Payas Jain. Despite dropping the first game 10-12, Manush showcased resilience and tactical prowess to win the next four games consecutively, securing the title with a 4-1 victory (10-12, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8).

Reflecting on his achievement, Manush expressed immense joy, especially winning in his home state. He credited the local support as a significant factor in his triumph, stating, "The support I got today from the fans made a lot of difference."

Looking Ahead

With his maiden national title and rising international rankings, Manush Shah's future in table tennis looks promising. His journey from a young enthusiast to a national champion serves as an inspiration, highlighting the impact of dedication, resilience, and local support in achieving sporting excellence.

For those interested in witnessing his championship-winning performance, here's the final match against Payas Jain:
https://youtu.be/U9o39oFEuvo

Amalraj shocks Sharath Kamal to win Nationals, Poulomi Ghatak Women's National Champ

Anthony Amalraj finished the season at a high that he displayed right through the season. He beat Achanta Sharath Kamal 4-2 in the finals. Earlier, Poloumi Ghatak defeated K Shamini 4-0.

Such was his form that Amalraj was leading 3-0 in the finals before the determined Sharath decided to fight back winning the next two. In the sixth game however, Amalraj was determined not to let the match slip into a decider and won the game.

There was some controversy after Amalraj jumped on to the table to celebrate. It is understandable since he broke Sharath's grip on the Indian national title.

Results: 

Men’s singles (final): Amal Raj A  (PSPB) bt Sharath Kamal (PSPB) (4-2) 11-8, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8; Semi-finals: Sharath Kamal (PSPB) bt Soumayajit Ghosh (NB) (4-1) 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6; Amal Raj A (PSPB) bt Subhajit Saha (PSPB) (4-0) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8.

Women’s singles (final): Poulami Ghatak (PSPB) bt Shamini K (PSPB) (4-0) 11-9, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7; Semi-finals: Poulami Ghatak (PSPB) bt Ankita Das (NB) (4-3) 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8; Shamini K (PSPB) bt Mouma Das (PSPB) (4-1) 11-9, 11-4, 12-10, 13-15, 11-6.