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The Indian men`s table tennis team assured itself of its third consecutive bronze medal at Asian TT Championships, overcoming a gritty Kazakhstan 3-1 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The medal in the men`s team event was secured after the women lost to Japan in the semifinals to end with a historic bronze.
In the men`s quarterfinal, World No. 60 Manav Thakkar set the tone, delivering a stunning upset by dismantling Kazakhstan`s top-ranked player, World No. 41 Kirill Gerassimenko, in a dominant 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-6) sweep.
Gerassimenko, normally a formidable opponent, struggled to contain Thakkar`s aggressive style, handing India an early lead at Asian TT Championships.
Kazakhstan`s Alan Kurmangaliyev (No. 183) struck back swiftly, defeating Harmeet Desai 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-8) with a relentless attacking display, levelling the tie at 1-1. Desai, visibly out of rhythm, was overwhelmed by Alan`s pace and aggression.
Veteran Sharath Kamal, India`s table tennis icon, stepped up in the third match, easing past Aidos Kenzhigulov 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 12-10) with characteristic poise and precision. Despite Kenzhigulov`s brave efforts, Sharath`s experience proved too much, restoring India`s lead at 2-1.
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The decisive moment came when Harmeet faced a fired-up Gerassimenko in the fourth rubber. After a shaky start, World No. 91 Harmeet found his footing, launching a fierce counterattack in the second and fourth games, turning the tide with explosive backhands and blistering forehands.
In the fifth game, Harmeet raced to a 6-1 lead, ultimately holding off a late comeback from Gerassimenko to win 3-2 and seal India`s place in the semifinals, ensuring the bronze. India men had finished with bronze in the previous two editions in 2023 and 2021.
This victory marks India`s seventh overall medal in the Asian TT Championships. India play either Chinese Taipei or Japan in the semifinals on Thursday.
The women`s team secured its first bronze medal after a 1-3 loss to Japan in the semifinals earlier in the day.
Despite a strong showing against second-seeded South Korea, strategic missteps, including the absence of foreign coach Massimo Costantini against No. 4-seeded Japan, may have cost India a shot at the finals. Surprisingly, the top-ranked Indian woman, Sreeja Akula, was also benched.
Ayhika Mukherjee, who shone in the previous round against South Korea, started well against Miwa Harimoto, ranked No. 7 in the world, but let key opportunities slip, losing 2-3 (8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11, 7-4).
Miwa struggled to cope with Ayhika`s odd pimpled rubber, but the latter failed to press home the advantage.
Manika Batra levelled the score with a commanding 11-6, 11-5, 11-8 win over Satsuki Odo, ranked No. 17 in the world, but Mima Ito, Japan`s second-best paddler at No. 9, dominated Sutirtha Mukherjee, winning 11-9, 11-4, 15-13 to put Japan ahead.
In the decisive fourth match, Batra couldn`t maintain her earlier form, falling 11-6, 6-11, 11-2, 11-3 to Miwa, sealing India`s exit but securing a well-earned bronze.
(With agency inputs)
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