For a continent that is brilliant in Table Tennis and for a country that largely uses it as a means for recreation in corporate offices, what Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal have done at the Asian Games today has to be a massive, massive step for Indian Table Tennis.
Never had India won a medal in Table Tennis at the Asian Games, however, it was a dream that was being nurtured in the Indian Table tennis circuit for long, a dream that was being taken care of by Massimo Constantini(India’s national TT coach).
Multiple medals in the Commonwealth games and India’s highest finish in the World Championships meant that India came into the Asian Games on the back of some brilliant performances.
A bronze medal in the men’s team event had provided India with the belief of scripting greater things in Jakarta, and the Manika-Sharath pair did just that today, securing India’s first ever medal in the doubles category at the Asian Games.
Playing against the North Korean pair of An Ji Som and Cha Hyo Sim, Manika and Sharath put forth an exhibition of grit, skill and raw determination.
Traling 2-1, Manika used her long pimple to brilliant effect, with Sharath Kamal coming up with some trademark backhand top spin winners.
The match was largely won because of the North Korean pair not able to decipher a way to counter Mainka’s long pimple play.
The duo will now be in action during the semi final at 16:30 IST.
This is how Twitter reacted to this magnificent feat:
Breaking News: Table Tennis | Now this is big folks……. Achanta Sharath Kamal/ Manika Batra beat World No. 3 Korean pair Lee Sabgsu/Jeon Jihee 3-2 to enter Mixed Doubles QF #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/TkwqIfCHVR
— India@AsianGames2018 (@India_AllSports) August 29, 2018
Breaking News: Table Tennis | Now this is big folks……. Achanta Sharath Kamal/ Manika Batra beat World No. 3 Korean pair Lee Sabgsu/Jeon Jihee 3-2 to enter Mixed Doubles QF #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/TkwqIfCHVR
— India@AsianGames2018 (@India_AllSports) August 29, 2018
Indian pair of Sharath Kamal Achanta & Manika Batra 🇮🇳 is through to the Mixed Doubles quarterfinals after upsetting 3rd seeded Jeon Jihee & Lee Sangsu 🇰🇷 at #AsianGames2018 🏓 pic.twitter.com/Rr2wPul4Bi
— ITTF World (@ittfworld) August 29, 2018
History made!!! We are in semi finals in table tennis in mixed double. Achant sharat Kamal was fantastic but this Manika Batra is pure love 😍😍😍 https://t.co/aZHbs3bgOD
— #JeSuisAurangzeb (@__phoenix_fire_) August 29, 2018
Manika Batra & Sharath Kamal take India into the mixed doubles semifinals with a thrilling win over Korea. Batra and Kamal were trailing the Korean pair by two games to one but hit back in games four & five to assure India of a bronze #AsianGames
— Rohan Alvares (@toi_rohanA) August 29, 2018
Yessssssssss!!!! This Indian duo makes history !!!!! Indian mixed double duo ACHANTA SHARATH KAMAL and MANIKA BATRA defeated JI SONG
AN/HYO SIM CHA 3-2 sets to reach semifinal of Mixed Doubles #Tabletennis event at #AsianGames2018 and assured a medal!!!! pic.twitter.com/WtIg1bgnXS— Finishing touch (@tanmoy_sports) August 29, 2018
#AsianGames2018 : In mixed doubles Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal upset third seeded Korean pair 3-2 to make the quarterfinals #TableTennis
— Rahul Bhutani (@BhutaniRahul) August 29, 2018
Achanta sharath Kamal,eternal TT warrior n new poster girl of TT , Manika Batra in mixed semis, ensures 2nd TT medal.Unprecedented in Asiad
— Satish K Singh (@SatkSingh) August 29, 2018