In a shocking upset, India’s table tennis veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal bowed out of the Paris Olympics in the round of 64. The 42-year-old, a five-time Olympian, was defeated by lower-ranked Deni Kozul of Slovenia in a closely contested match that lasted 53 minutes.
Sharath, despite winning the first game, couldn’t maintain his momentum and lost the next three. He fought back to level the match at 2-2 but ultimately succumbed to his opponent in the deciding fifth game. This unexpected defeat marks a disappointing end to Sharath’s Olympic campaign.
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In contrast, India’s rising star Sreeja Akula continued her impressive run, advancing to the round of 32 with a convincing 4-0 victory over Sweden’s Christina Kallberg. The win marks another milestone for Sreeja, who has already made history by becoming India’s first WTT Contender singles champion.
The match against Kallberg was a test of Sreeja’s mettle, with the Swede putting up a strong fight. However, the Indian’s superior skill and experience eventually prevailed. Sreeja’s powerful forehands and accurate placements proved too much for Kallberg to handle.
With Sharath’s exit, India’s hopes in the men’s singles category have been dashed. However, Sreeja’s performance has injected a fresh wave of optimism into the Indian table tennis camp. The spotlight now shifts to Manika Batra, who will be looking to carry forward the momentum as she faces Anna Hursey of Great Britain later in the day.
India's Flag bearer Sharath Kamal lost his opening match to lower ranked Kozul 🇸🇰 2-4
Can't believe still, Most disappointing result#Parigi2024 #TableTennis pic.twitter.com/n2l88NqxK8
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) July 28, 2024
Meanwhile, Indian boxing star Nikhat Zareen has successfully advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s 50kg category at the Paris Olympics. She defeated Germany’s Maxi Karina Kloetzer in a hard-fought match on Sunday.
The two-time world champion secured a clear 5-0 victory over her opponent, showcasing her dominance in the ring. This win sets up an exciting clash for Zareen against top-seeded Asian Games champion Wu Yu of China in the next round.
The Indian boxer is determined to make her mark at the Olympics and will be looking to continue her winning streak.
India’s campaign at the Paris Olympics has seen a mixed bag of results so far, and the table tennis and boxing contingent will be hoping for better fortunes in the coming days.
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