The 28th Asian Table Tennis Team Championship concluded its penultimate day at the Kalinga Stadium, revealing a mixed bag of results for India. While the Indian men’s team proudly secured a sixth-place finish, the women’s team faced a tougher challenge, ending their journey in a disheartening eighth position.
Both squads had been eliminated from the quarterfinals, dashing their hopes of defending previous bronze medals. Despite this, they were driven by a dual purpose: to salvage pride and, crucially, to earn a direct entry into the Champions Division of the upcoming Asian Championship.
The men’s team truly rose to the occasion, delivering a spirited performance against DPR Korea. Their hard-fought 3-2 victory not only showcased their determination but also successfully secured that coveted Champions Division slot.
Captain Manav Thakkar led by example, dominating Ham Yu Song in straight games. Later, Manush Shah delivered a decisive win in the fifth and final rubber, sealing India’s triumph.
Ankur Bhattacharjee further contributed to India’s score, overcoming Chon Jong Bom in a tightly contested match, which proved pivotal in swinging the tie in India’s favor.
With their primary objective achieved, the Indian coaching staff strategically gave opportunities to reserve players. This allowed them valuable game experience.
Though SFR Snehit and Payas Jain displayed moments of aggressive play and skill, India eventually fell to Hong Kong in the fifth-place playoff match.
Unfortunately, the women’s team encountered a demanding tournament. After missing out on a medal in the quarterfinals, they subsequently lost both their classification matches.
A particularly impactful defeat was the close 2-3 loss to DPR Korea earlier in the day. The situation worsened when Yashaswini Ghorpade narrowly lost her intense third match to Pak Su Gyong, followed by Manika Batra conceding a walkover to Kim Kum Yong. This unfortunate turn of events confirmed India’s relegation to the qualifying rounds for the next championship edition.
Meanwhile, in a major upset scare, the formidable Chinese men’s team found their dominance severely tested. They were pushed to their absolute limits by Japan, eventually scraping past with a 3-2 victory in a grueling semifinal that stretched over four hours and 15 minutes. Japan initially held a commanding 2-0 lead, with World No. 4 Tomokazu Harimoto stunning World No. 7 Liang Jingkun, and Sora Mastushima impressively defeating World No. 1 Wang Chuqin. It seemed Japan was on the verge of pulling off the tournament’s biggest surprise.
However, World No. 2 Lin Shidong spearheaded China’s remarkable comeback. The deciding rubber saw Liam turn the tables on Matsushima in the final two games, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat for China.
Detailed Results: Semifinals:
Men:
Hong Kong (China) defeated Taiwan 3-2 (Wong Chun Ting defeated Liao Cheng-Ting 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8; Chan Baldwin lost to Kuo Guan-Hong 6-11, 8-11, 12-14; Ho Kwan Kit lost to Chang Yu-An 11-9, 7-11, 3-11, 11-13; Wong defeated Kuo 11-1, 11-7, 11-2; Chan defeated Liao 11-4, 4-11, 0-11, 11-6, 11-5).
China defeated Japan 3-2 (Liang Jingkun lost to Tomokazu Harimoto 10-12, 13-11, 11-13, 11-9, 9-11; Wang Chuqin lost to Sora Matsushima 11-8, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 7-11; Lin Shidong defeated Hiroto Shinozuka 12-14, 11-2, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6; Wang defeated Harimoto 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, 13-15, 11-8; Liang defeated Matsushima 8-11, 13-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-3).
Women:
Japan defeated Singapore 3-0 (Miwa Harimoto defeated Ser Lin Qian 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 15-13; Honoka Hashimoto defeated Zeng Jian 11-7, 11-7, 11-7; Satsuki Odo defeated Loy Ming Ying 11-5, 11-3, 11-9).
China defeated Korea 3-0 (Sun Yingsha defeated Shin Yubin 11-4, 11-8, 4-11, 11-4; Wang Manyu defeated Kim Nayeong 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6; Wang Yidi defeated Lee Eunhye 11-8, 11-4, 12-10).
Fifth to Eighth Position Playoff:
Men:
India defeated DPR Korea 3-2.
Republic of Korea defeated India 3-0 (Oh Junsung defeated Manav Thakkar 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7; Park Gyuhyeon defeated SFR Snehit 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7; An Jaehyun defeated Payas Jain 12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8). India concluded the tournament in 6th place.
Women:
India lost to DPR Korea 1-3.
India lost to Hong Kong (China) 2-3 (Yashaswini Ghorpade lost to Su Tsz Tung 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 14-12, 7-11; Swastika Ghosh defeated NG Wing Lam 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9; Diya Chitale defeated Kong Tsz Lam 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9; Yashaswini lost to Lam 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 5-11, 6-11; Swastika lost to Su 11-8, 8-11, 13-11, 6-11, 4-11). India finished the tournament in a disappointing 8th place.