Riding high on the success of the recently-concluded Asian Games, India's top-ranked paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal is hopeful that India
will finish on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.To get more
table tennis latest news, you can visit shine news official website.
Kamal scripted history when the men's team won India's first medal, bronze, in table tennis at the Asian Games. He also won the bronze with
Manika Batra in the mixed doubles category making it the best-ever
outing for the country in the sport.
"Winning a medal at the Asiad is close to bagging a medal at the World Championships or the Olympics. It is a good milestone to judge,"
Sharath Kamal said.
"This (Asian Games) medal is an indication that we are capable of making it to the podium even at the Olympics. Seven of the top 10
countries in the sport are from Asia. To win a medal here is such a
boost. It gives us a forward vision (ahead of the Olympics)."
The veteran paddler said there is now also a possibility that he would qualify for three events -- men's singles, men's team and mixed
doubles -- at the Tokyo Olympics, a feat he has been unable to achieve
before.
Sharath Kamal, who paired up with Manika for the first time in the mixed doubles category, said he has finally found the right partner in
her.
"Mixed doubles is not my cup of tea. The boss is the woman there. They set up the game while men finish the rally. I couldn't find the
right match all these years but with Manika, I am able to," he said.
Asked about his future plans, Sharath Kamal said he has no plans of retiring and fitness will be vital in making that call.
"I am way fitter than what I was. A lot of changes have happened in the last three years. I have moved back to India and I'm training a lot
here. I don't have the pressure of playing matches week in and week out
now. I am able to invest more timing into training," he said.
"I can even play till 2024 (laughs). I have been delivering my best and things are on a roll. If I manage to stay fit and motivated, it can
go on. I am keeping it open."
Sharath Kamal said going into the Asiad the thought in the camp was that there was a slim chance of winning a medal and all depended on a
favourable draw and luckily things went the team's way.
"Ahead of the Games, we thought that there was only a slim chance. We were hoping for a favourable draw and were raring to play our best
possible game. Fortunately, it panned out the way we wanted it to be,"
he said.
Sharath Kamal, who is ranked 35th in the ITTF rankings, also said that the backing from the federation and the government is
benefitting the players.
"We are getting the right kind of funding and we are able to put it for the right kind of exposure. That is helping us all do well in the
international scene. In the last two years, we have been consistently
beating top-ranked players in every tournament we go," he said.
