New Delhi, Oct 28 (NationPress) India’s table tennis champions Diya Chitale and Manush Shah have made history by becoming the first Indian duo to qualify for the esteemed WTT Finals - a prestigious season-ending event that showcases the finest talents in the sport.

Diya, the current National Champion and the most prominent Indian player at Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6, along with Manush, the reigning Men’s National Champion and one of India’s top international competitors, have secured their place at the WTT Finals scheduled in Hong Kong in 2025, taking place from December 10 to 14.

The WTT Finals represent the grand finale of the global WTT Series, featuring only the highest-ranked players - the top 16 in both Men’s and Women’s Singles, alongside the top eight Mixed Doubles pairs - all competing for a total prize pool of USD 1.3 million. This event is one of the most exclusive and high-stakes competitions in the sport.

The qualification of Diya and Manush is especially significant as they are not just the first Indian pair in the Mixed Doubles category but also the first Indians to compete in any category at the WTT Finals. Their consistent excellence throughout the year, which includes a historic mixed doubles silver medal at the WTT Star Contender Brazil 2025, has led to this remarkable achievement.

“Competing in a Finals event is a monumental honor, and being the first Indians to achieve this is even more significant. This moment symbolizes the growth of Indian table tennis and the promising future ahead. I am proud to contribute, even in a small way, to this narrative, and we will strive to create unforgettable memories,” expressed Diya Chitale regarding their qualification for the WTT Finals 2025.

The journey to Hong Kong was marked by a series of outstanding performances over the season. Their title victory at WTT Contender Tunis in April 2025, where they triumphed over Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Sora Matsushima in the finals, stands as their most significant accomplishment. They also showcased their skills at the US Smash in July 2025, defeating Japan’s Satsuki Odo and Korea’s Oh Junsung, and at the WTT Contender Buenos Aires, where they overcame Japan’s Satsuki Odo and Hiroto Shinozuka.

The Mixed Doubles event at the WTT Finals will feature a group stage (two groups of four pairs) followed by semifinals, with matches being played in a best-of-five format. As they compete against the world’s top-ranked pairs from countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan, Diya and Manush will carry the hopes of India on the international stage.