Chennai, Mar 5: Indian table tennis icon A Sharath Kamal is set to retire from the sport later this month, concluding over 22 years at the pinnacle of his discipline. He has decided to forgo the opportunity to compete in another Olympic cycle at the age of 42. In his own words, Sharath feels that his journey has come full circle. He will bid farewell to professional table tennis in a heartfelt ceremony, alongside friends and family in Chennai, where the WTT (World Table Tennis) Star Contender event will serve as his farewell from March 25 to 30.
Over the years, Sharath has made significant contributions that extend beyond mere statistics, such as his remarkable haul of seven gold medals from the Commonwealth Games and two groundbreaking bronze medals from the Asian Games. Additionally, he proudly represented India at five Summer Olympics.
Paris last year marked a significant highlight in his Olympic career, as he had the honor of leading the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony. Although the competition didn’t yield the results he desired in France, Sharath’s ongoing fitness and status as India’s top-ranked player (currently at No. 42) led him to consider one more season before ultimately deciding to step back.
With upcoming Commonwealth and Asian Games on the horizon, he felt it was time to move on. “I’m not completely letting go, but this certainly marks the end of my journey on the larger stages, in front of expansive crowds. It’s time to give my racket and bandana a rest,” he stated.
He expressed deep gratitude for the joy, love, challenges, and lessons that the sport has brought him over the years. For much of the past two decades, Sharath has been a beacon of inspiration, motivating the younger generation to embrace table tennis before Manika Batra stepped in to share that role.
Not only did Sharath elevate the sport’s profile in India, but he also established a formidable presence on the global table tennis scene, often competing against dominant squads from China, Japan, and South Korea. His powerful forehand kept opponents on edge, and he continuously adapted by developing a formidable backhand.
Kamlesh Mehta, an Arjuna awardee and another distinguished Indian player, highlighted the reasons behind Sharath’s sustained success in the sport. “The game has evolved profoundly over the last two decades. When he began, he didn’t employ the backhand banana flick, but he learned it, strengthened his backhand, and adapted to new strategies—this adaptability is what has allowed him to maintain such longevity,” Mehta remarked in an interview.
As with any elite athlete, Sharath experienced his share of challenges. A serious hip and hamstring injury during the 2015 World Championships was a significant setback. “Many had written him off after that injury, yet he returned stronger than ever,” Mehta recalled.
Some of the best performances of Indian table tennis have coincided with the later stages of Sharath’s career. With a strong support system, India managed to secure a bronze medal against Japan during the 2018 Asian Games, thanks in part to Chennai’s own G Sathiyan.
A historic achievement came when Sharath and Manika combined to earn a bronze in mixed doubles at the Jakarta games—an outcome that even he had not anticipated in such a competitive environment.
As he entered his 40s, Sharath took on the challenge of his final Commonwealth Games with renewed optimism. Facing the 2022 edition in Birmingham, he pushed himself to maintain his fitness amid the realities of an aging body, ultimately exceeding expectations with three gold medals—a personal first.
“Even the players ask me how I manage to add new strokes each time I compete. I don’t have a straightforward answer; I can only say it’s not easy. What I’ve achieved at 40 is incredible in a very positive way. How am I still able to perform like this?” he pondered after his successful run in Birmingham in 2022.
Now, three years later, he continues to be a formidable presence on the professional circuit, hopeful to conclude his competitive table tennis journey on a high note later this month. Sharath has also thoughtfully planned his retirement in advance, becoming the first Indian elected to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) athletes’ commission. He is also a member of the athletes’ body in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and aspires to secure a position on the athletes’ commission of the International Olympic Committee in the future. Beyond that, he envisions taking up an administrative role within the Table Tennis Federation of India, ensuring his continued involvement in the sport. However, the significant gap he will leave on the court may prove impossible to fill. (Agencies)
