March 29, 2024
Asian Games 2018NewsTable Tennis

Asian Games 2018: Indian men’s table tennis team bags a historic bronze medal

Asian Games 2018: Indian men's table tennis team bags a historic bronze medal

Indian table tennis men’s team created history by winning their maiden medal at the Asian Games. The team comprising of Gnanasekaran Sathiyan, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Anthony Amalraj thumped a much fancied Japan 3-1 in their last group stage match to enter the semi-final where they lost to South Korea 0-3 to settle for bronze.

Sathiyan started the first tie of the encounter and he cruised past the world Number 8 Lee Sangsu in first set 11-9 to set it up nicely. The Korean however made a commendable return by winning the next three set 9-11 3-11 3-11 to give a 1-0 lead to Korea.

In the next encounter, India’s highest ranked paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal was up against Sik Jeoung. The Indian was up with a fight against a highest ranked opponent but that was not enough to get the better of him as he lost 9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11.

In the third game, Anthony Amalraj was pipped 5-11 7-11 11-4 7-11 by world ranked 22 Woojin Jang as South Korea clinched the tie 3-0.

My Take

India are not a heavyweight competitors in the table tennis event in Asia but this medal well and clearly speaks the volume of rising Indian stature in the continent.

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