Can Tanishka Kalbhairav and Naisha Rewaskar Continue Their Winning Streak in WTT Star Contender?
Synopsis
In an electrifying start to the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026, young stars Tanishka Kalbhairav and Naisha Rewaskar shine in the qualifying rounds. Their skilled performances have set the stage for an exciting tournament, promising thrilling matches ahead.
Key Takeaways
Tanishka Kalbhairav and Naisha Rewaskar advance to final qualifying rounds.
WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 features a prize pool of USD 300,000 .
Young talents are making their mark on the international table tennis scene.
Strong performances by wildcard entrants continue to shape the tournament.
Exciting matchups are scheduled for the upcoming rounds.
Chennai, Feb 10 (NationPress) Emerging table tennis talents Tanishka Kalbhairav and Naisha Rewaskar showcased their skills with impressive victories in the women's singles qualifying matches, advancing to the final qualifying round of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender Chennai 2026, which commenced at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University in Chennai on Tuesday.
The 13-year-old Tanishka stunned the seasoned Maria Rony with a score of 3-1 (11-2, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4) in the second qualifying round. Meanwhile, Naisha, who trains at the NSCI-UTT Academy in Mumbai, triumphed over wildcard participant Palak Ghia with a clean sweep of 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-6), securing her spot in the final qualifying round of this prestigious event, which features an increased prize pool of USD 300,000.
Earlier, Gungun Sahu caused an upset by defeating the higher-ranked Hardee Patel 3-1 (12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10) to advance to the final round of qualifying.
In the men’s singles, India’s Umesh Kumar made a strong comeback from a game down to win against Nepal’s Rajiv Chikanbanjar, finishing 3-1 (6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8) and progressing to the third qualifying round.
Wildcard entrants Punit Biswas and Balamurgan Rajasekaran also moved forward, with Biswas defeating Arjav Gupta 3-1 (11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8) and Balamurgan overcoming Neil Mulye 3-0 (11-5, 13-11, 11-9) in the second qualifying round.
The second round of qualifying will continue on Wednesday morning, featuring top-ranked men’s singles player Ankur Bhattacharjee against Korea Republic’s Oh Seunghwan, who defeated Rajesh Ramanathan with a score of 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 in the first qualifying round.
Additionally, wildcard Shivjit Lamba will face Italy’s Carlo Rossi in another exciting matchup of the men’s singles second qualifying round.
Point of View
It's crucial to spotlight the burgeoning talents in Indian sports. Tanishka and Naisha's remarkable victories at the WTT Star Contender showcase the bright future of table tennis in India, reflecting the country's commitment to nurturing young athletes. Such events not only enhance sporting culture but also inspire the next generation.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WTT Star Contender?
The WTT Star Contender is a prestigious table tennis tournament that attracts top players from around the world, showcasing exceptional talent and competitive spirit.
Where is the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 being held?
The tournament is taking place at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University in Chennai, India.
Who are the standout players in the tournament?
Young players Tanishka Kalbhairav and Naisha Rewaskar have emerged as standout performers in the women's singles qualifying rounds.
What is the prize money for the tournament?
The WTT Star Contender Chennai boasts an impressive prize purse of USD 300,000.
When are the next qualifying rounds?
The next rounds of qualifying will continue on Wednesday morning, featuring exciting matchups.
