India Advances to Round of 16 at World Team Table Tennis Championships 2024, Paris Olympics Berths is just a win away
Busan, 21st Feb 2024: In an impressive display of skill and determination, both the Indian men’s and women’s table tennis teams secured spots in the round of 16 at the World Team Table Tennis Championships 2024 in Busan, the Republic of Korea, on Wednesday. With this advancement, India stands just one win away from securing berths for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Indian men’s team exhibited resilience as they battled past Kazakhstan with a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Despite a challenging start, with Harmeet Desai falling short in a closely contested match, the team rallied back with stellar performances from Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran to clinch the win. Their next challenge awaits against hosts South Korea in the pre-quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team delivered a dominant performance, blanking Italy 3-0 to secure their spot in the top 16. Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra, and Ayhika Mukherjee showcased their prowess on the table, delivering commendable victories against their Italian counterparts.
With their sights set on the quarter-finals, the Indian women’s team faces a formidable opponent in Chinese Taipei in their next encounter. A victory in this crucial match will earn them an Olympic quota and mark a significant milestone for Indian table tennis.
The World Team Table Tennis Championships offer up to eight Paris 2024 team quotas in each of the men’s and women’s events, reserved for nations reaching the quarter-finals in Busan and without prior team quotas. India stands poised to capitalize on this opportunity and make their mark on the international stage.
While the journey ahead poses formidable challenges, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams are primed to deliver stellar performances, fueled by the aspiration to secure Olympic berths and make their nation proud. As they gear up for the next phase of competition, Indian table tennis enthusiasts await with anticipation, hopeful for continued success and glory on the global stage.
