Ankur Bhattacharjee Triumphs at WTT Youth Contender Cappadocia 2025

Ankur Bhattacharjee Triumphs at WTT Youth Contender Cappadocia 2025

India’s rising table tennis star, Ankur Bhattacharjee, continued his dominant streak in the U-19 category, securing the WTT Youth Contender Cappadocia 2025 title with an outstanding performance.

A Champion in the Making

At just 18 years old, Ankur has showcased remarkable skill, consistency, and tactical intelligence, making him a formidable presence in junior table tennis. His latest victory adds to a series of impressive achievements, underlining his growing stature on the global stage.

A Journey of Unbeaten Excellence

Over the last three years, Ankur has been a towering force in junior competitions, consistently outperforming opponents with his sharp reflexes, precise shot placement, and strategic gameplay. His victories in both national and international tournaments have solidified his position as a top-tier junior athlete, making him one of India’s most promising young paddlers.

National Success and Continued Growth

Ankur has not only shone on the international circuit but has also dominated the domestic scene. His recent exploits at the Junior and Youth National Table Tennis Championships showcased his versatility and ability to perform under pressure. His clean sweep in multiple categories there demonstrated his exceptional form and adaptability across formats.

What’s Next for Ankur?

With his latest triumph, Ankur moves closer to transitioning into the senior circuit, where he aims to make a lasting impact. As he refines his skills and gains more experience, he is well on his way to becoming one of India’s leading table tennis players on the international stage.

His journey so far has been a testament to his dedication, skill, and hunger for success. If his current trajectory continues, the Indian table tennis fraternity may soon witness another star rising through the ranks at major global tournaments.

The Triumphant Return: Fan Zhendong & Chen Meng Set to Dominate World Table Tennis Again!

The world of table tennis is about to witness a seismic shift. After months of speculation and uncertainty, Chinese superstars Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are set to make their highly anticipated return to the world stage. With WTT’s recent decision to drop the mandatory participation requirement, the two Olympic champions now have the freedom to compete on their own terms, ensuring they can deliver the kind of table tennis that fans crave—fast, fierce, and electrifying!

A New Era of Competition

The changes in WTT’s policies mark a turning point in elite table tennis. For years, the grueling schedule placed immense pressure on top players, often forcing them into physically taxing tournaments without adequate rest. Now, with greater flexibility and better financial incentives, Fan and Chen can focus on peak performance, ensuring that every match they play is at their absolute best.

What does this mean for fans?
A fresher, hungrier, and more dominant Fan Zhendong. A refocused and unstoppable Chen Meng. The world’s most elite players are returning, ready to reclaim their positions at the top of the rankings.

Fan Zhendong: The King is Back!

Few players have mesmerized audiences the way Fan Zhendong has. Known for his explosive forehand, rock-solid backhand, and unreal reflexes, he has dominated world table tennis for years. However, the brutal tournament schedule took a toll on his body, forcing him to step away temporarily.

Now, with a revamped mindset and the time to properly prepare, Fan Zhendong is back to destroy the competition. Expect to see the return of his lightning-fast counters, impossible angle shots, and relentless pressure play that made him a fan favorite.

Who will challenge him? Ma Long is nearing the end of his legendary career, Tomokazu Harimoto and Wang Chuqin are rising, but a well-rested and laser-focused Fan Zhendong could once again set the standard for men’s table tennis.

Chen Meng: The Queen’s Grand Comeback

Chen Meng, the Olympic gold medalist and former world No. 1, has always been a force to be reckoned with. Her mastery of the short game, precise shot placement, and tactical intelligence made her one of the most feared players on the circuit.

But with injuries and the relentless tournament grind wearing her down, she made the tough decision to step back. Now, with WTT’s policy changes allowing her to return with a balanced schedule, Chen Meng is back—stronger, wiser, and more motivated than ever.

Her return brings a thrilling new chapter in women’s table tennis. With Sun Yingsha still in dominant form and Wang Manyu pushing the limits, the battle for women’s supremacy will be one for the ages.

More Best-of-Seven Matches = More Drama!

WTT’s potential move to incorporate more best-of-seven matches means that players like Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng will have more opportunities to showcase their grit, adaptability, and mental toughness. Fans can expect epic comebacks, longer rallies, and unforgettable duels as these table tennis titans go head-to-head with the best in the world.

What’s Next?

With $1 million in additional prize money, the stakes are higher than ever. The next three WTT Grand Smashes will be more than just tournaments—they will be battlegrounds where Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng seek to reclaim their crowns.

The countdown has begun. The world is watching.
Table tennis is about to get electrifying once again.

Are you ready? 🔥🏓

India's performance at the Olympics - Table tennis

India's table tennis team faced a challenging campaign at the Paris Olympics, with mixed results across events. In the women's team quarterfinals, India pushed Germany to four games, but ultimately fell short. Archana Kamath's win over Shan Xiaona was a highlight, but the team couldn't quite overcome the German squad.

In women's singles, Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula put up strong fights but were ousted by Japan's Miu Hirano and China's Sun Yingsha, respectively. Sharath Achanta and Harmeet Desai faced tough opponents in the men's singles, losing to Slovenia's Deni Kozul and France's Félix Lebrun.

The men's team, meanwhile, struggled against China, losing 3-0 in the last 16 round. Despite the disappointing results, India's table tennis players showed glimpses of their potential and will look to build on this experience for future tournaments.

Manika Batra beat Prithika Pavade to move to the next round; Harmeet Desai loses

Manika Batra won relatively easily against the host nation's Prithika Pavade 4-0.

Harmeet lost to A Lebrun 0-4

So, India had a mixed day today. Sreeja Akula will play her next match later.

Scores:

(Manika Batra) India	11	11	11	11	(4)
(Prithika Pavade) France	9	6	9	7	(0)

F Lebrun (France)	11	11	11	11	(4)
Harmeet Desai (India)	8	8	6	8	(0)

Table Tennis India aims for medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Indian players are laser-focused on the Paris Olympics 2024, where 60 countries are participating in the Table Tennis sport. This time, they will not go to the athletes village to enjoy and meet famous sports stars. Their goal is to bag nothing less than medals.

This is probably the first Olympics when this aim is realistic. We have the experienced Sharath Kamal again along with India's star player, Manika Batra. But this time, we also have Sreeja Akula who has improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years and is now ranked in the elite groups.

India's team medal prospects provide some hope as the teams have players of good strength and experience.

Massimo Costantini is also sensing the ambitious mood of the Indian Table tennis team. A unique fact this time is that there are a few personal coaches, which indicates that the sport has become highly professional and lucrative at the top level.

India Table Tennis team composition:

Men’s team: Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar; 

Reserve player: G. Sathiyan

Men’s singles: Sharath Kamal and Harmeet Desai

Women’s team: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath; 

Reserve player: Ayhika Mukherjee

Women’s singles: Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula

Final Maharashtra State Table tennis Championships

Schedule for Final Maharashtra State Table Tennis Championship 2020-21

(Source - mstta.org)

Please contact the organizers for more information.

Prabodhankar Thackeray Krida Sankul, Vile Parle (east) Mumbai Suburban District
Contact:  Yogesh Desai 9819301890, Shri Sameer Bhate 9222007007

Photo by Wan San Yip on Unsplash

Harmeet Desai and Sutirtha Mukherjee are National Champions!

Harmeet and Sutirtha won the National Table tennis Championships titles yesterday. While the strong Sutirtha beat Kritwikka in straight sets in the finals, Harmeet overcame teammate Manav Thakkar in a close encounter.

Super stars Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan were upset by Soumyajit Ghosh and Harmeet respectively.

Photo: Kesavan for The Hindu

Ultimate Table tennis (UTT) League standings

Ultimate Table Tennis League standings as of today:

U Mumba TT - 44

Goa Challengers - 41

Chennai Lions - 35

Dabang Delhi T.T.C. - 33

RP-SG Mavericks Kolkata - 30

Puneri Paltan Table Tennis - 27

Source:ultimatetabletennis.in

Ultimate Table Tennis League 2019 kicks off today

The 2019 edition of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league starts on 25th July 2019 when the Dabang Delhi team takes on Puneri Paltan at the Thyagaraj stadium in the national capital city, Delhi.

Amir Khan is promoting the league, whose Chairperson is Mrs.Vita Dani.

Padma Shri presented to Sharath Kamal

Indian Table tennis champion, Achanta Sharath Kamal was honoured with the Padma Shri yesterday.