Indian Table Tennis players thumbs up Lagos connection

Posted : 16 June 2023

Archana Kamath is small in stature but she is big on aggression while playing table tennis.

The Indian star showed her class at the ongoing WTT Contender Lagos after she zoomed into the second round of the women’s singles at the expense of an experienced Korean star, Suh Hyo Won, whom she defeated 3-1 to book her place in the second round.

The WTT Contender, Lasko 2021 women’s doubles champion will be marking her 23rd birthday tomorrow, June 17, and hopes for a befitting gift, when she takes on Sweden’s Linda Bergstrom in the second round.

A daughter of ophthalmologists, Kamath could not hide her excitement over the atmosphere at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall in Lagos, which has inspired her performance so far in the tournament.

The Bengaluru-born athlete said: "I am very happy with the win against an experienced Korean opponent because I was really looking forward to the match, to have the opportunity to play against a player of such high calibre.

"I think, I played really well; I’m not sure. I got quite a few lucky points.

"It was really fun to play in this amazing atmosphere, and I hope I can continue to give my best in the next matches."

Like Kamath, another Indian star, Manav Thakkar, believes the atmosphere in Lagos has been a plus.

Thakkar, who edged out homeboy, Olajide Omotayo, in the first round of the men’s singles, said after the match that he was a bit nervous playing against the homeboy.

"I think, it was one of the very good matches for me," he said.

"I played really well and my opponent was really strong, and at the same time, he had the crowd support.

"So, I was very nervous when I was playing against him because whenever I lost a point, the crowd was supporting him so much.

"I was so stressed but I am very happy that in the end, I won the match."

The Indian star added: "Overall, I am in Lagos for the first time. I think, it’s a very good place and I have never been here.

"I tried the food over here and it is amazing. I hope that tomorrow (today) again, they can support me and hopefully, I can win the upcoming matches as well.

"So, I am looking forward to all my matches. And for sure, next time, I hope to come to Lagos because it has been a lucky place for me," he said.

Indian Table Tennis players thumbs up Lagos connection

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