Syndrela Das sets sights on winning Asian Games gold, breaking into top 50

Syndrela Das’ rapid rise has met with her call-up to the senior women’s side in the Asian Games, with the 17-year-old setting sights on winning the gold and breaking into the top 50 “as fast as possible”. Currently ranked No. 99 in ITTF women’s singles rankings and world No. 27 in youth girls’ singles, Syn-drela heads to the Asian Games in Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya with a strong performance in the domestic circuit to showcase her form.

Her title wins in women’s singles and U-19 girls’ singles at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championships last month certainly put the spotlight on the Kolkata-based Syndrela, whose list of achievements includes defeating Manika Batra in a women’s singles game of the Ultimate Table Tennis.

“For the country, of course, I am looking forward to the Asian Games and we would try to clinch the gold, of course. But personally, I would try to get into the top 50 as fast as possible,” Syndrela, who played for UTT 2026 finalists Dempo Goa Challengers, told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Syndrela said her selection in the national side makes this season her “best” one yet but there still remains a lot to learn. “I would say this season is going very well because I have been selected for the Asian Games, Commonwealth Championships and also the Youth Olympics,” she said.