Divija Paul wins bronze at National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Panchkula
Synopsis
Ranked No. 1 in India in the Under-13 age group, Divija Paul claimed bronze at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Panchkula — the very venue where she won her first national title in 2023. Backed by Adani Sportsline's 'Garv Hai' initiative and already a WTT Youth Contender gold medallist in the Philippines, the Class VII student from Silchar has Chennai and Jalandhar in her sights next, with an Olympic gold the ultimate goal.
Key Takeaways
Divija Paul won bronze in the U13 girls' category at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Panchkula ( 6–13 October 2026 ).
She is currently ranked No.
1 in India in the Under-13 age group.
Paul won U13 individual gold at the WTT Youth Contender Puerto Princesa 2026 in the Philippines .
She is a Class VII student at KVS Silchar , Assam , and is backed by Adani Sportsline 's 'Garv Hai' programme.
Next assignments: WTT Youth Contender in Chennai and UTT National Ranking Championship in Jalandhar .
India's Under-13 table tennis sensation Divija Paul, backed by Adani Sportsline's 'Garv Hai' programme, claimed the bronze medal in the U13 girls' category at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship held in Panchkula from 6 to 13 October 2026. The Assam-based paddler, currently ranked No. 1 in India in the Under-13 age group, continues to cement her status as one of the country's most promising young athletes.
A Venue of Special Significance
Panchkula holds a unique place in Paul's journey — it is where she claimed her first national title, in the U11 category, back in 2023. Returning to the same venue and stepping onto the podium again clearly resonated with the youngster. 'Panchkula is where I won my first national title, so returning here and finishing on the podium feels really special. I wanted to go one step further, but I am proud of this bronze and I will learn from every match I played,' Paul said.
An Impressive Run on the International Stage
The bronze in Panchkula adds to a rapidly growing list of accolades at both national and international level. Earlier in 2026, Paul won gold in the U13 individual category at the WTT Youth Contender Puerto Princesa 2026 in the Philippines. She had previously claimed U11 and U13 gold medals at WTT Youth Contender events held in Vadodara in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
National Titles and Rising Profile
On the domestic circuit, Paul's record is equally impressive. She won the U13 title at the UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Delhi in 2025 and the U13 doubles crown at the UTT National Table Tennis Championship in Gandhidham the same year. A Class VII student at Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Silchar, she began playing table tennis at the age of six after watching her cousin compete at a local club tournament.
What Adani Sportsline's Support Means
Paul was candid about the difference corporate backing has made to her development. 'Support from Adani Sportsline means much more to me than I can express. Some of my biggest challenges were good quality equipment, travelling for tournaments, and getting proper strength and conditioning. My parents and coaches have done everything they can for me, and now these challenges will be eased,' she said. She looks up to China's Sun Yingsha, admiring her playing style and confidence in stroke execution.
What's Next for Paul
The young paddler is scheduled to compete at the WTT Youth Contender Championship in Chennai before heading to the UTT National Ranking Championship in Jalandhar. Her stated long-term ambition is to win an Olympic gold medal for India. 'My focus is on Chennai and Jalandhar next,' she added.
Point of View
She has had to rely on her parents and coaches for basics like equipment and travel — gaps that should not exist for the country's top-ranked junior athlete. Corporate support through initiatives like 'Garv Hai' fills a gap the state has not. The real question is whether India's table tennis pipeline can consistently convert early-age rankings like Paul's into senior international medal contenders — a conversion rate the country has historically struggled with across racquet sports.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Divija Paul and why is she in the news?
Divija Paul is India's No. 1-ranked Under-13 table tennis player from Assam, supported by Adani Sportsline's 'Garv Hai' initiative. She won the bronze medal in the U13 girls' category at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championship in Panchkula from 6 to 13 October 2026.
What other titles has Divija Paul won?
Paul has won the U13 individual gold at the WTT Youth Contender Puerto Princesa 2026 in the Philippines, U11 and U13 golds at WTT Youth Contender events in Vadodara in 2025 and 2026, the U13 title at the UTT National Ranking Championship in Delhi in 2025, and the U13 doubles crown at the UTT National Table Tennis Championship in Gandhidham in 2025.
What is the Adani Sportsline 'Garv Hai' initiative?
'Garv Hai' is Adani Sportsline's athlete-support programme that provides promising young Indian sportspersons with resources including quality equipment, travel support, and strength and conditioning. Divija Paul is one of its beneficiaries.
Where will Divija Paul compete next?
Paul is scheduled to compete at the WTT Youth Contender Championship in Chennai, followed by the UTT National Ranking Championship in Jalandhar.
What is Divija Paul's long-term ambition?
Paul has stated her long-term goal is to win an Olympic gold medal for India. She cites China's Sun Yingsha as her role model, admiring her playing style and confidence in stroke execution.
