India’s triple gold medallist at the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games, Sharath Kamal, has opted out of next month’s World Table Tennis Championships, citing personal reasons.
The Championships are scheduled to take place in China.The event will be played in Chengdu from the 30th of September to October 9.
The 40-year-old Sharath had won the men’s singles, mixed doubles, and team titles in the Birmingham Games.
G Sathiyan, the top-ranked Indian in the world at No. 37, will spearhead the country’s challenge in the men’s section while world No. 44 Manika Batra will lead the women’s team.
Manika will be aiming for an improved performance after an underwhelming campaign at the CWG.
“National men and women coaches S. Raman and Anindita Chakraborty, Chris Adrian Pfeiffer (personal coach of Manika), and masseur Harmeet Kaur will be the other members of the contingent,” Table Tennis Federation of India said.
“Unfortunately, however, the Birmingham CWG multiple medallist A Sharath Kamal has opted out of the team, citing personal reasons.”
The Indian team is expected to leave for Chengdu on September 25.
Following is the entire Indian team:
Men: G Sathiyan, Sanil Shetty, Harmeet Desai, Manush Shah, and Manav Thakkar.
Women: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Reeth Rishya, Diya Chitale and Swastika Ghosh.
Coaches: S Raman and Anindita Chakraborty/Chris Adrian Pfeiffer (personal coach).
Masseur: Harmeet Kaur.
(Inputs from PTI)