The Indian table tennis contingent produced an unthinkable performance at the Asian Games, considered as ‘mini-Olympics’ by the players. Three years down the line, can they pull off another miracle at the Tokyo Games?
Asian Games may have the presence of continental powerhouses like China, Korea and Japan but the Olympics are a different ball game altogether.
Nevertheless, India exceeded all expectations to win a men’s team Bronze and mixed doubles Bronze in Jakarta, ending the country’s medal drought at the Asian Games, but getting close to even one medal here would be a gargantuan task.
Before the paddlers arrived in Tokyo, the only little hope was in the mixed doubles category but an opener against the world number one duo from Chinese Taipei has made the challenge a lot tougher for A Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra.
Sharath along with G Sathiyan has also been handed a tough draw in the men’s singles competition.
The 20th seed is drawn to meet reigning champion Ma Long in round three provided he clears the second round (first round bye) in his fourth Olympics.
If Sathiyan, who will make his Olympics debut, clears the second round hurdle, he will face Japanese sensation and third seed Harimoto Tomokazu.
Manika and debutant Sutirtha Mukherjee will represent India in women’s singles.
The unseeded Manika is expected to beat Britain’s Tin-Tin Ho in the first round and is drawn to meet 20th seed Margaryta Pestoska in the second. Sutirtha, world number 98, plays 78th-ranked Linda Bergstroem from Sweden in the opening round.