Bhubaneswar, Oct 10 (NationPress) Former table tennis champion Achanta Sharath Kamal has voiced his optimism that the Indian team will aim for a medal upgrade at the Asian Table Tennis Team Championships 2025, following their bronze medal achievements in the men’s and women’s team competitions from the last edition.

The championship is set to take place in Bhubaneswar from October 11-15 and will focus exclusively on men’s and women’s team events. Furthermore, it will act as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships, which will see the top 13 teams in each category earning a spot.

“It’s fantastic to return to Odisha. The last major event we participated in here was in 2019, and hosting the Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar is indeed a significant occasion. India has shown remarkable performance — we secured bronze medals in both the men’s and women’s team competitions last time, and this year, we are set on changing the medal color,” Kamal stated.

Regarding India’s rising profile on the global stage, he remarked, “Our athletes are in top form. Manav Thakkar is currently ranked World No. 39 in men’s singles, and our doubles and mixed doubles teams are featured among the world’s top ten. With local support and the familiar environment, the Indian team has every opportunity to achieve its best performance yet.”

The esteemed player also praised Odisha’s impressive sporting vision and facilities, stating, “The organization here is top-notch. It’s my first experience in this stadium, and the entire sports complex is truly remarkable. Odisha is capable of hosting major global events across various sports. I am confident the state will play a pivotal role when India hosts large-scale international events in the future.”

Earlier this year, Kamal, one of India's most accomplished table tennis athletes, announced his retirement. He acted as a flag bearer for India at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has garnered numerous accolades at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.

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