Divija Paul wins U13 singles gold at WTT Youth Contender Chennai 2026
Synopsis
Divija Paul, a Class VII student from Silchar, has claimed back-to-back WTT Youth Contender U13 singles golds — in Chennai and the Philippines — within weeks of each other. Backed by Adani Sportsline since September 2026, the 12-year-old Assam paddler is building a title collection that few Indian juniors have matched at her age, with her sights set on an Olympic gold.
Key Takeaways
Divija Paul won the U13 Singles gold at WTT Youth Contender Chennai 2026 , held 23–26 October 2026 .
It is her second WTT Youth Contender singles gold in weeks, after a similar win at Puerto Princesa, Philippines .
She also advanced to the semi-finals of the U15 Mixed Doubles event in Chennai.
The Assam -based paddler, a student at KVS Silchar , has been supported by Adani Sportsline's 'Garv Hai' initiative since September 2026 .
Her next target is the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Championship in Jalandhar .
India's top-ranked Under-13 table tennis player Divija Paul claimed the U13 Singles gold at the WTT Youth Contender Chennai 2026, held from 23 to 26 October 2026, while also advancing to the semi-finals of the U15 Mixed Doubles event. The result adds another international title to the rapidly growing résumé of the Assam-based youngster.
A Second WTT Gold in Weeks
The Chennai victory is Divija's second WTT Youth Contender singles gold in quick succession, following her U13 triumph at Puerto Princesa, Philippines. She has also previously won U11 and U13 gold medals at WTT Youth Contender events in Vadodara in 2025 and 2026 respectively, underscoring a consistent run at the elite youth level of the sport.
The Adani Sportsline Backing
Divija competes under Adani Sportsline's 'Garv Hai' athlete roster, which has supported her since September 2026 through international-standard equipment, travel assistance for domestic and overseas tournaments, and access to strength and conditioning facilities.
'Winning in Chennai while wearing the 'Garv Hai' jersey is a moment I will always remember. When Adani Sportsline backed me, it felt like someone truly believed I could win. Every time I step up to the table, that belief steps up with me,' said Divija. She added that her focus now shifts to the upcoming Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Championship in Jalandhar.
From Silchar to the International Stage
A Class VII student at Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Silchar, Divija first picked up a table tennis racket at the age of six. Her national breakthrough came in 2023 when she won her maiden national title in the U11 category at Panchkula.
She subsequently won the U13 title at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Delhi in 2025, followed by the U13 Doubles crown at the UTT National Table Tennis Championship in Gandhidham later that year. Earlier in November 2026, she also secured a bronze medal in the U13 Girls category at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Panchkula.
Long-Term Olympic Ambition
The support from Adani Sportsline is aimed at sustaining Divija's development as she works toward her stated long-term goal of winning an Olympic gold medal for India. With multiple WTT Youth Contender titles already in her cabinet before her teens, the young paddler from Assam is being watched as one of Indian table tennis's most promising emerging talents. Her next major test will come at the UTT Championship in Jalandhar.
Point of View
And if the model delivers an Olympic-ready player, it could become a template others replicate. The bigger question is whether the national federation and state bodies in Assam can complement that corporate support with the competitive exposure and coaching depth needed to convert youth dominance into senior success — a transition where Indian table tennis has often stumbled.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Divija Paul win at WTT Youth Contender Chennai 2026?
Divija Paul won the U13 Singles gold medal at WTT Youth Contender Chennai 2026, which was held from 23 to 26 October 2026. She also reached the semi-finals of the U15 Mixed Doubles event at the same tournament.
How many WTT Youth Contender titles has Divija Paul won?
Divija Paul has won multiple WTT Youth Contender titles, including U11 and U13 golds in Vadodara (2025 and 2026), a U13 gold in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, and the U13 gold in Chennai 2026. The Chennai title is her second WTT singles gold within a matter of weeks.
Who is sponsoring Divija Paul's table tennis career?
Adani Sportsline backs Divija Paul under its 'Garv Hai' athlete initiative since September 2026, providing international-standard equipment, travel support for domestic and overseas events, and strength and conditioning facilities.
Where is Divija Paul from and how old is she?
Divija Paul is from Assam and is currently a Class VII student at Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) in Silchar. She began playing table tennis at the age of six and made her national breakthrough in 2023.
What is Divija Paul's next competition?
Divija Paul has stated that her focus now shifts to the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Championship in Jalandhar, following her gold medal win in Chennai.
