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Sharath Kamal scripts history in Singapore
The Indian athlete charged his way into the quarterfinals, defeating long-time teammate Omar Aasaar
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Sharath Kamal at the WTT Smash event 2024 / X - @sharathkamal1
Indian table tennis player, Sharath Kamal, secured a win at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash 2024 by defeating Egypt's Omar Aasaar, ranked 22nd in the world, to advance to the quarterfinals.
Currently ranked 88 in global rankings, Kamal made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the quarterfinals of the WTT Smash event in the men's singles category.He has had a career-best ranking of World No. 73 globally.
Qualifiers ️ Quarterfinal
— World Table Tennis (@WTTGlobal) March 14, 2024
The dream run continues for Indian legend Sharath Kamal Achanta after defeating Omar Assar in straight games #SingaporeSmash #ExperienceAGrandNewLegacy #PingPong #TableTennis pic.twitter.com/eB5Zlo1Byf
The 41-year-old Padma Shri awardee reflected on having played with Aasaar in several tournaments before. Though they have contrasting styles, their practice sessions and team matches helped him understand Aasaar better, the paddler said in a post match interview.
Kamal explained, “I go power, and he goes control.” He discussed his family's joy at his victory, as well as their eagerness for his homecoming. Kamal's desire to continue progressing and evaluating his skills was intensified by his victories in the WTT. He aspires to accumulate a higher score during the Olympic year.
Before this, Kamal had broken Kamlesh Mehta's record of nine Senior National Championships won by an Indian table tennis player. From clinching gold at the Commonwealth Games to securing titles at tournaments such as the US Open and the Egypt Open, Kamal’s career began at the age of 16.
Notably, he also became the first Indian to win a singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour by winning at the US Open Table Tennis Men's Championships in 2010, defeating Thomas Keinath in a seven-game battle. He was honored with national awards like the Padma Shri in 2019 and the Khel Ratna Award in 2022.
Kamal will compete against France’s Félix Lebrun and Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson in the quarterfinals.
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